BERKELEY 

LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF 
€ALIfORNIA 


t\ 


THE 


BRAVO: 


. 


BY   THE    AUTHOR  OF  "  THE   SPY,"  "  THE  RED  ROVER, 
"  THE  WATER-WITCH, '  &c. 


Giustizia  in  palazzo,  e  pane  in  piazza. 


IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 
VOL.  I. 


** 


CAREY  &  LEA— CHESTNUT  STREET. 
J831. 


LIBEAKt 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1831,  by 
CARKY  &  LEA,  in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  East- 
ern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


STEREOTYPED   BY   J.    HOWE. 


£77?' 

4- 


PREFACE. 


IT  is  to  be  regretted  the  world  does  not 
discriminate  more  justly  in  its  use  of  politi 
cal  terms.  Governments  are  usually  called 
either  monarchies  or  republics.  The  former 
class  embraces  equally  those  institutions  in 
which  the  sovereign  is  worshipped  as  a  God, 
and  those  in  which  he  performs  the  humble 
office  of  a  mannikin.  In  the  latter  we  find 
aristocracies  and  democracies  blended  in 
the  same  generic  appellation.  The  conse 
quence  of  a  generalization  so  wide  is  an 
utter  confusion,  on  the  subject  of  the  polity 
of  states. 

The  author  has  endeavored  to  give  his 
countrymen,  in  this  book,  a  picture  of  the 
social  system  of  one  of  the  soi-disa?it  re 
publics  of  the  other  hemisphere.  There  has 
been  no  attempt  to  portray  historical  cha 
racters,  only  too  fictitious  in  their  graver 
dress,  but  simply  to  set  forth  the  familiar 
operations  of  Venetian  policy.  For  the 
justification  of  his  likeness,  after  allowing 
for  the  defects  of  execution,  he  refers  to  the 

well-known  work  of  M.  Daru. 
A2 

f       538 


VI  PREFACE. 

A  history  of  the  progress  of  political  lib 
erty,  written  purely  in  the  interests  of  hu 
manity,  is  still  a  desideratum  in  literature. 
In  nations  which  have  made  a  false  com- 
mencemo^t,  it  would  be  found  that  the  citi 
zen,  or  rafher  the  subject,  has  extorted  im 
munity  after  immunity,  as  his  growing  intel 
ligence  and  importance  have  both  instructed 
and  required  him  to  defend  those  particular 
rights  which  were  necessary  to  his  well-being. 
A  certain  accumulation  of  these  immunities 
constitutes,  with  a  solitary  and  recent  excep 
tion  in  Switzerland,  the  essence  of  European 
liberty,  even  at  this  hour.  It  is  scarcely 
necessary  to  toll  the  reader  that  this  freedom, 
be  it  more  or  less,  depends  on  a  principle 
entirely  different  from  our  own.  Here  the 
immunities  do  not  proceed  from,  but  they 
are  granted  to,  the  government,  being,  in 
other  words,  concessions  of  natural  rights 
made  by  the  people  to  the  state,  for  the  ben 
efits  of  social  protection.  So  long  as  this 
vital  difference  exist  between  ourselves  and 
other  nations,  it  will  be  vain  to  think  of  find 
ing  analogies  in  their  institutions.  It  is  true 
that,  in  an  age  like  this,  public  opinion  is 
itself  a  charter,  and  that  the  most  despotic 
government  which  exists  within  the  pale  of 


PREFACE.  Vii 

Christendom,  must,  in  some  degree,  respect 
its  influence.  The  mildest  and  justest  gov 
ernments  in  Europe  are,  at  this  moment, 
theoretically  despotisms.  The  character  of 
both  prince  and  people  enter  largely  into  the 
consideration  of  so  extraordinary  results, 
and  it  should  never  be  forgotten  that,  though 
the  character  of  the  latter  be  sufficiently 
secure,  that  of  the  former  is  liable  to  change. 
But,  admitting  every  benefit  which  can  pos 
sibly  flow  from  a  just  administration,  with 
wise  and  humane  princes,  a  government 
which  is  not  properly  based  on  the  people, 
possesses  an  unavoidable  and  oppressive  evil 
of  the  first  magnitude,  in  the  necessity  of 
supporting  itself  by  physical  force  and  oner 
ous  impositions,  against  the  natural  action 
of  the  majority. 

Were  we  to  characterize  a  republic,  we 
should  say  it  was  a  state  in  which  power, 
both  theoretically  and  practically,  is  derived 
from  the  nation,  with  a  constant  responsibil 
ity  of  the  agents  of  the  public  to  the  peo 
ple;  a  responsibility  that  is  neither  to  be 
evaded  nor  denied.  That  such  a  system  is 
better  on  a  large  than  on  a  small  scale,  though 
contrary  to  brilliant  theories  which  have 
been  written  to  uphold  different  institutions, 


Viii  PREFACE. 

must  be  evident  on  the  smallest  reflection, 
since  the  danger  of  all  popular  governments 
is  from  popular  mistakes,  and  a  people  of 
diversified  interests  and  extended  territorial 
possessions,  are  much  less  likely  to  be  the 
subjects  of  sinister  passions,  than  the  inhab 
itants  of  a  single  town,  or  county.  If  to 
this  definition  we  should  add,  as  an  infallible 
test  of  the  genius,  that  a  true  republic  is  a 
government  of  which  all  others  are  jealous 
and  vituperative,  on  the  instinct  of  self-pre 
servation,  we  believe  there  would  be  no  mis 
taking  the  class.  How  far  Venice  would  have 
been  obnoxious  to  this  proof,  the  reader  is 
left  to  judge  for  himself. 


THE    BRAVO. 


CHAPTER  I. 

**  I  stood  in  Venice  on  the  Bridge  of  Sighs, 
A  palace  and  a  prison  on  each  hand ; 
I  saw  from  out  the  wave  her  structures  rise, 
As  from  the  stroke  of  the  enchanter's  wand  : 
A  thousand  years  their  cloudy  wings  expand 
Around  me,  and  a  dying  glory  smiles 
O'er  the  far  times,  when  many  a  subject  land 
Look'd  to  the  winged  lions'  marble  piles, 
Where  Venice  sate  in  state,  throned  on  her  hundred  isles." 

BYRON. 

THE  sun  had  disappeared  behind  the  summits  of 
the  Tyrolean  Alps,  and  the  moon  was  already  risen 
above  the  low  barrier  of  the  Lido.  Hundreds  of 
pedestrians  were  pouring  out  of  the  narrow  streets 
of  Venice  into  the  square  of  St.  Mark,  like  water 
gushing  through  some  strait  aqueduct,  into  a  broad 
and  bubbling  basin.  Gallant  cavalieri  and  grave 
cittadini ;  soldiers  of  Dalmatia,  and  seamen  of  the 
galleys;  dames  of  the  city,  and  females  of  lighter 
manners ;  jewellers  of  the  Rialto,  and  traders  from 
the  Levant;  Jew,  Turk,  and  Christian;  traveller, 
adventurer,  podesta,  valet,  avvocato  and  gondolier, 
held  their  way  alike  to  the  common  centre  of  amuse 
ment.  The  hurried  air  and  careless  eye ;  the  mea 
sured  step  and  jealous  glance ;  the  jest  and  laugh  ; 
the  song  of  the  cantatrice,  and  the  melody  of  the 
flute ;  the  grimace  of  the  buffoon,  and  the  tragic 
frown  of  the  improvisatore ;  the  pyramid  of  the  gro 
tesque,  the  compelled  and  melancholy  smile  of  the 
harpist,  cries  of  water-sellers,  cowls  of  monks, 
plumage  of  wrarriors,  hum  of  voices,  and  the  univer 
sal  movement  and  bustle,  added  to  the  more  perma- 


10  THE   BRAVO. 

nent  objects  of  the  place,  rendered  the  scene  the 
most  remarkable  of  Christendom. 

On  the  very  confines  of  that  line  which  separates 
western  from  eastern  Europe,  and  in  constant  com 
munication  with  the  latter,  Venice  possessed  a 
greater  admixture  of  character  and  costume,  than 
any  other  of  the  numerous  ports  of  that  region.  A 
portion  of  this  peculiarity  is  still  to  be  observed, 
under  the  fallen  fortunes  of  the  place ;  but  at  the  pe 
riod  of  our  tale,  the  city  of  the  isles,  though  no 
longer  mistress  of  the  Mediterranean,  nor  even  of 
the  Adriatic,  was  still  rich  and  powerful.  Her  in 
fluence  was  felt  in  the  councils  of  the  civilized 
world,  and  her  commerce,  though  waning,  was  yet 
sufficient  to  uphold  the  vast  possessions  of  those 
families,  whose  ancestors  had  become  rich  in  the 
day  of  her  prosperity.  Men  lived  among  her  islands 
in  that  state  of  incipient  lethargy,  which  marks  the 
progress  of  a  downward  course,  whether  the  de 
cline  be  of  a  moral  or  of  a  physical  decay. 

At  the  hour  we  have  named,  the  vast  parallelo 
gram  of  the  piazza  was  filling  fast,  the  cafes  and 
casinos  within  the  porticoes,  which  surround  three 
of  its  sides,  being  already  thronged  with  company. 
While  all  beneath  the  arches  was  gay  and  brilliant 
with  the  flare  of  torch  and  lamp,  the  noble  range 
of  edifices  called  the  Procuratories,  the  massive 
pile  of  the  Ducal  Palace,  the  most  ancient  Christian 
church,  the  granite  columns  of  the  piazzetta,  the 
triumphal  masts  of  the  great  square,  and  the  giddy 
tower  of  the  campanile,  were  slumbering  in  the 
more  mellow  glow  of  the  moon. 

Facing  the  wide  area  of  the  great  square  stood  the 
quaint  and  venerable  cathedral  of  San  Marco.  A 
temple  of  trophies,  and  one  equally  proclaiming  the 
prowess  and  the  piety  of  its  founders,  this  remarka 
ble  structure  presided  over  the  other  fixtures  of  the 
place,  like  a  monument  of  the  republic's  antiquity 


THE   BRAVO.  II 

and  greatness.  Its  Saracenic  architecture,  the  rows 
of  precious  but  useless  little  columns  that  load  its 
front,  the  low  Asiatic  domes  which  rest  upon  its 
walls  in  the  repose  of  a  thousand  years,  the  rude  and 
gaudy  mosaics,  and  above  all  the  captured  horses 
of  Corinth  which  start  from  out  the  sombre  mass  in 
the  glory  of  Grecian  art,  received  from  the  solemn 
and  appropriate  light,  a  character  of  melancholy 
and  mystery,  that  well  comported  with  the  thick  re 
collections  which  crowd  the  mind  as  the  eye  gazes 
at  this  rare  relic  of  the  past. 

As  fit  companions  to  this  edifice,  the  other  pecu 
liar  ornaments  of  the  place  stood  at  hand.  The 
base  of  the  campanile  lay  in  shadow,  but  a  hundred 
feet  of  its  gray  summit  received  the  full  rays  of  the 
moon  along  its  eastern  face.  The  masts  destined 
to  bear  the  conquered  ensigns  of  Candia,  Constan 
tinople,  and  the  Morea,  cut  the  air  by  its  side,  in 
dark  and  fairy  lines,  while  at  the  extremity  of  the 
smaller  square,  and  near  the  margin  of  the  sea,  the 
forms  of  the  winged  lion  and  the  patron  saint  of 
the  city,  each  on  his  column  of  African  granite, 
were  distinctly  traced  against  the  back-ground  of 
the  azure  sky. 

It  was  near  the  base  of  the  former  of  these  massive 
blocks  of  stone,  that  one  stood  who  seemed  to  gaze 
at  the  animated  and  striking  scene,  with  the  listless- 
ness  and  indifference  of  satiety.  A  multitude,  some 
in  masques  and  others  careless  of  being  known,  had 
poured  along  the  quay  into  the  piazzetta,  on  their 
way  to  the  principal  square,  while  this  individual  had 
scarce  turned  a  glance  aside,  or  changed  a  limb  in 
weariness.  His  attitude  was  that  of  patient,  prac 
tised,  and  obedient  waiting  on  another's  pleasure. 
With  folded  arms,  a  bod}  poised  on  one  leg,  and  a 
vacant  though  good-humored  eye.  lie  appeared  to 
attend  some  beck  of  authority  ere  lie  quitted  the 
spot  A  silken  jacket,  in  w<, ,.  f:-^ae  flowers  of 


12  THE   BRAVO. 

the  gayest  colors  were  interwoven,  the  falling  col* 
lar  of  scarlet,  the  bright  velvet  cap  with  armorial 
bearings  embroidered  on  its  front,  proclaimed  him 
to  be  a  gondolier  in  private  service. 

Wearied  at  length  with  the  antics  of  a  distant 
group  of  tumblers,  whose  pile  of  human  bodies  had 
for  a  time  arrested  his  look,  this  individual  turned 
away,  and  faced  the  light  air  from  the  water.  Re 
cognition  and  pleasure  shot  into  his  countenance, 
arid  in  a  moment  his  arms  were  interlocked  with 
those  of  a  swarthy  mariner,  who  wore  the  loose  at 
tire  and  Phrygian  cap  of  men  of  his  calling.  The 
gondolier  was  the  first  to  speak,  the  words  flowing 
from  him  in  the  soft  accents  of  his  native  islands. 

"  Is  it  thou,  Stefano !  They  said  thou  hadst  fallen 
into  the  gripe  of  the  devils  of  Barbary,  and  that  thou 
wast  planting  flowers  for  an  infidel  with  thy  hands, 
and  watering  them  with  thy  tears ! " 

The  answer  was  in  the  harsher  dialect  of  Cala 
bria,  and  it  was  given  with  the  rough  familiarity  of 
a  seaman. 

"  La  Bella  Sorrentina  is  no  housekeeper  of  a  cu- 
rato !  She  is  not  a  damsel  to  take  a  siesta  with  a 
Tunisian  rover  prowling  about  in  her  neighbor 
hood.  Hadst  ever  been  beyond  the  Lido,  thou 
wouldst  have  known  the  difference  between  chasing 
the  felucca  and  catching  her." 

"  Kneel  down,  arid  thank  San  Teodoro  for  his 
care.  There  was  much  praying  on  thy  decks  that 
hour,  caro  Stefano,  though  "none  is  bolder  among 
the  mountains  of  Calabria  when  thy  felucca  is  once 
safely  drawn  upon  the  beach  I " 

The  mariner  cast  a  half-comic,  half-serious  glance 
upward  at  the  image  of  the  patron  saint,  ere  he  re 
plied. 

"  There  was  more  need  of  the  wings  of  thy  lion 
than  of  the  favor  of  thy  saint.  I  never  come  fur- 


THE  BRAVO.  18 

ther  north  for  aid  than  San  Gennaro,  even  when  it 
blows  a  hurricane." 

"  So  much  the  worse  for  thee,  caro,  since  the 
good  bishop  is  better  at  stopping  the  lava  than  at 
quieting  the  winds.  But  there  was  danger,  then,  of 
losing  the  felucca  and  her  brave  people  among  the 
Turks?" 

"There  was,  in  truth,  a  Tunis-man  prowling 
about,  between  Stromboli  and  Sicily;  but,  Ali  di 
San  Michele !  he  might  better  have  cfnsed  the  cloud 
above  the  volcano,  than  run  after  the  felucca  in  a 
sirocco !" 

"  Thou  wast  chicken-hearted,  Stefano?" 

"  I ! — I  was  more  like  thy  lion,  here,  with  some 
small  additions  of  chains  and  muzzles." 

"  As  was  seen  by  thy  felucca's  speed  ?" 

"  Cospetto !  I  wished  myself  a  knight  of  San  Gio 
vanni  a  thousand  times  during  the  chase,  and  La 
Bella  vSorrentina  a  brave  Maltese  galley,  if  it  were 
only  for  the  cause  of  Christian  honor !  The  mis 
creant  hung  upon  my  quarter  for  the  better  part  of 
three  glasses ;  so  near,  that  I  could  tell  which  of  the 
knaves  wore  dirty  cloth  in  his  turban,  and  which 
clean.  It  was  a  sore  sight  to  a  Christian,  Stefano, 
to  see  the  right  thus  borne  upon  by  an  infidel." 

"  And  thy  feet  warmed  with  the  thought  of  the 
bastinado,  caro  mio?" 

"  I  have  run  too  often  barefoot  over  our  Calabrian 
mountains,  to  tingle  at  the  sole  with  every  fancy  of 
that  sort." 

"  Every  man  has  his  weak  spot,  and  I  know  thine 
to  be  dread  of  a  Turk's  arm.  Thy  native  hills  have 
their  soft  as  well  as  thair  hard  ground,  but  it  is  said 
the  Tunisian  chooses  a  board  knotty  as  his  own 
heart,  when  he  amuses  himself  with  the  wailings  of 
a  Christian." 

"  Well,  the  happiest  of  us  all  must  take  such  as 
fortune  brings.  If  my  soles  are  to  be  shod  with 

Vol.  I.  B 


14  THE   BRAVO. 

blows,  the  honest  priest  of  Sant'  Agata  will  be 
cheated  of  a  penitent.  I  have  bargained  with  the 
good  curato,  that  all  such  accidental  calamities  shall 
go  in  the  general  account  of  penance.  But  how 
fares  the  world  of  Venice? — and  what  dost  thou 
among  the  canals  at  this  season,  to  keep  the  flowers 
of  thy  jacket  from  wilting  ? " 

"  To-day  as  yesterday,  and  to-morrow  will  be  as 
to-day.  I  row  the  gondola  from  the  Rialto  to  the 
Guidecca ;  from  San  Giorgio  to  San  Marco  ;  from 
San  Marco  to  the  Lido,  and  from  the  Lido  home*. 
There  are  no  Tunis-men  by  the  way,  to  chill  the 
heart  or  warm  the  feet." 

"Enough  of  friendship.  And  is  there  nothing 
stirring  in  the  republic  ? — no  young  noble  drowrned, 
nor  any  Jew  hanged?" 

"Nothing  of  that  much  interest — except  the 
calamity  which  befell  Pietro.  Thou  rememberest 
Pietrillo  ?  he  who  crossed  into  Dalmatia  with  thee 
once,  as  a  supernumerary,  the  time  he  was  suspect 
ed  of  having  aided  the  young  Frenchman  in  run 
ning  away  with  a  senator's  daughter  1 " 

"  Do  I  remember  the  last  famine  ?  The  rogue 
did  nothing  but  eat  maccaroni,  and  swallow  the 
lachrymse  christi,  which  the  Dalmatian  count  had 
on  freight." 

"  Poverino  !  His  gondola  has  been  run  down  by 
an  Ancona  man,  who  passed  over  the  boat,  as  if  it 
were  a  senator  stepping  on  a  fly." 

"  So  much  for  little  fish  coming  into  deep  water." 

"  The  honest  fellow  was  crossing  the  Guidecca, 
with  a  stranger  who  had  occasion  to  say  his  pray 
ers  at  the  Redentore,  w7hen  ;the  brig  hit  him  in  the 
canopy,  and  broke  up  the  gondola  as  if  it  had  been 
a  bubble  left  by  the  Bucentaur." 

"  The  padrone  should  have  been  too  generous  to 
complain  of  Pietro's  clumsiness,  since  it  met  with 
its  own  punishment." 


THE    BRAVO.  15 

"  Madre  di  Dio  !  He  went  to  sea  that  hour,  or  he 
might  be  feeding  the  fishes  of  the  Lagunes !  There 
is  not  a  gondolier  in  Venice  who  did  not  feel  the 
wrong  at  his  heart ;  and  we  know  how  to  obtain 
justice  for  an  insult,  as  well  as  our  masters." 

"  Well,  a  gondola  is  mortal,  as  well  as  a  felucca, 
and  both  have  their  time ;  better  die  by  the  prow 
of  a  brig,  than  fall  into  the  gripe  of  a  Turk. — How 
is  thy  young  master,  Gino  ?  and  is  he  likely  to  obtain 
his  claims  of  the  senate?" 

"  He  cools  himself  in  the  Giudecca  in  the  morn 
ing  ;  and  if  thou  would'st  know  what  he  does  at 
evening,  thou  hast  only  to  look  among  the  nobles  in 
the  Broglio." 

As  the  gondolier  spoke,  he  glanced  an  eye  aside, 
at  a  group  of  patrician  rank,  who  paced  the  gloomy 
arcades  which  supported  the  superior  walls  of  the 
doge's  palace,  a  spot  sacred,  at  times,  to  the  uses  of 
the  privileged. 

"  I  am  no  stranger  to  the  habit  thy  Venetian  no 
bles  have  of  coming  to  that  low  colonnade  at  this 
hour,  but  I  never  before  heard  of  their  preferring 
the  waters  of  the  Giudecca  for  their  baths." 

"  Were  even  the  doge  to  throw  himself  out  of  a 
gondola,  he  must  sink  or  swim,  like  a  meaner  Chris 
tian." 

"Acqua  dell'  Adriatico !  Was  the  young  duca 
going  to  the  Redentore,  too,  to  say  his  prayers?" 

"  He  was  coming  back  after  having — but  what 
matters  it  in  what  canal  a  young  noble  sighs  away 
the  night !  We  happened  to  be  near  when  the  An- 
cona-man  performed  his  feat :  while  Giorgio  and  I 
were  boiling  with  rage  at  the  awkwardness  of  the 
stranger,  my  master,  who  never  had  much  taste  or 
knowledge  in  gondolas,  went  into  the  water  to  save 
the  young  lady  from  sharing  the  fate  of  her  uncle." 

"Diavolo  !  *This  is  the  first  syllable  thou  hast  Ut- 


16  THE   BRAVO. 

tered  concerning  any  young  lady,  or  of  the  death 
of  her  uncle !" 

"  Thou  wert  thinking  of  thy  Tunis-man,  and  hast 
forgotten.  I  must  have  told  thee  how  near  the 
beautiful  signora  was  to  sharing  the  fate  of  the  gon 
dola,  and  how  the  loss  of  the  Roman  marchese 
weighs,  in  addition,  on  the  soul  of  the  padrone." 

"Santo  Padre!  That  a  Christian  should  die  the 
death  of  a  hunted  dog  by  the  carelessness  of  a  gon 
dolier!" 

"  It  may  have  been  lucky  for  the  Ancona-man  that 
it  so  fell  out,  for  they  say  the  Roman  was  one  of  in 
fluence  enough  to  make  a  senator  cross  the  Bridge 
of  Sighs,  at  need." 

"  The  devil  take  all  careless  watermen,  say  I ! — 
And  what  became  of  the  awkward  rogue  ?" 

"  I  tell  thee  he  went  outside  the  LHo,  that  very 
hour,  or — " 

"Pietrello?" 

"  He  was  brought  up  by  the  oar  of  Giorgio,  for 
both  of  us  were  active  in  saving  the  cushions  and 
other  valuables." 

"  Could'st  thou  do  nothing  for  the  poor  Roman  ? 
Ill  luck  may  follow  that  brig  on  account  of  his 
death  !" 

"  111  luck  follow  her,  say  I,  till  she  lays  her  bones 
on  some  rock  that  is  harder  than  the  heart  of 
her  padrone.  As  for  the  stranger,  we  could  do  no 
more  than  oIFer  up  a  prayer  to  San  Teodoro,  since 
he  never  rose  after  the  blow.  But  what  has  brought 
thee  to  Venice,  caro  mio  ?  for  thy  ill-fortune  with 
the  oranges,  in  the  last  vcyage,  caused  thee  to  de 
nounce  the  place." 

The  Calabrian  laid  a  finger  on  one  cheek,  and 
drew  the  skin  down,  in  a  manner  to  give  a  droll 
expression  to  his  dark,  comic  eye,  while  the  whole 
of  his  really  fine  Grecian  face  was  charged  with  an 
expression  of  coarse  humor. 


THE    BRAVO.  H 

"  Look  you,  Gino — thy  master  sometimes  calls 
for  his  gondola  between  sunset  and  morning  ? " 

"  An  owl  is  not  more  wakeful  than  he  has  been  of 
late.  This  head  of  mine  has  not  been  on  a  pillow 
before  the  sun  has  come  above  the  Lido,  since  the 
snows  melted  from  Monselice." 

"  And  when  the  sun  of  thy  master's  countenance 
sets  in  his  own  palazzo,  thou  hastenest  off  to  the 
bridge  of  the  Rialto,  among  the  jewellers  and  butch 
ers,  to  proclaim  the  manner  in  which  he  passed  the 
night  1" 

"Diamine!  'T  would  be  the  last  night  I  served 
the  Duca  di  Sant'  Agata,  were  my  tongue  so  limber ! 
The  gondolier  and  the  confessor  are  the  two  privy- 
councillors  of  a  noble,  Master  Stefano,  with  this 
small  difference — that  the  last  only  knows  what  the 
sinner  wishes  to  reveal,  while  the  first  sometimes 
knows  more.  I  can  find  a  safer,  if  not  a  more 
honest  employment,  than  to  be  running  about  with 
my  master's  secretg  in  the  air.1' 

"  And  I  am  wiser  than  to  let  every  Jew  broker 
in  San  Marco,  here,  have  a  peep  into  my  charter- 
party." 

"  Nay,  old  acquaintance,  there  is  some  difference 
between  our  occupations,  after  all.  A  padrone  of  a 
felucca  cannot,  in  justice,  be  compared  to  the  most 
confidential  gondolier  of  a  Neapolitan  duke,  who 
has  an  unsettled  right  to  be  admitted  to  the  council 
of  three  hundred." 

"  Just  the  difference  between  smooth  water  and 
rough — you  ruffle  the  surface  of  a  canal  with  a  lazy 
oar,  while  I  run  the  channel  of  Piombino  in  a  mist 
ral,  shoot  the  Faro  of  Messina  in  a  white  squall, 
double  Santa  Maria  de  Leuca  in  a  breathing  Le 
vanter,  and  come  skimming  up  the  Adriatic,  before 
a  sirocco  that  is  hot  enougn  to  cook  my  maccaroni, 
and  which  sets  the  whole  sea  boiling  worse  than  the 
caldrons  of  Scylla." 

B2 


18  THE   BRAVO. 

"Hist!"  eagerly  interrupted  the  gondolier,  who 
had  indulged,  with  Italian  humor,  in  the  controversy 
for  pre-eminence,  though  without  any  real  feeling ; 
"  here  comes  one  who  may  think,  else,  we  shall 
have  need  of  his  hand  to  settle  the  dispute — Ec- 
colo!" 

The  Calabnan  recoiled  apace,  in  silence,  and 
stood  regarding  the  individual  who  had  caused  this 
hurried  remark,  with  a  gloomy  but  steady  air.  The 
stranger  moved  slowly  past.  His  years  were  under 
thirty,  though  the  calm  gravity  of  his  countenance 
imparted  to  it  a  character  of  more  mature  age. 
The  cheeks  were  bloodless,  but  they  betrayed  rather 
the  pallid  hue  of  menf&l  than  of  bodily  disease.  The 
perfect  condition  of  the  physical  man  was  sufficient 
ly  exhibited  in  the  muscular  fullness  of  a  body, 
which,  though  light  and  active,  gave  every  indica 
tion  of  strength.  His  step  was  firm,  assured,  and 
even;  his  carriage  erect  and  easy.,  and  his  whole 
mien  was  strongly  characterized  by  a  self-posses 
sion  that  could  scarcely  escape  observation.  And 
yet  his  attire  was  that  of  an  inferior  class.  A 
doublet  of  common  ^elvet,  a  dark  Montero  cap, 
such  as  was  then  much  used  in  the  southern  coun 
tries  of  Europe,  with  other  vestments  of  a  similar 
fashion,  composed  his  dress.  The  face  was  melan 
choly  rather  than  sombre,  and  its  perfect  repose  ac 
corded  well  with  the  striking  calmness  of  the  body. 
The  lineaments  of  the  former,  however,  were  bold 
and  even  noble,  exhibiting  that  strong  and  manly 
outline  which  is  so  characteristic  of  the  finer  class 
of  the  Italian  countenance.  Out  of  this  striking  ar 
ray  of  features  .gleamed  an  eye,  that  was  full  of 
brilliancy,  meaning,  and  passion. 

As  the  stranger  passed,  his  glittering  organs  rolled 
over  the  persons  of  the  gondolier  and  his  com 
panion,  but  the  look,  though  searching,  was  entirely 
without  interest.  'Twas  the  wandering  but  wary 


THE   BRAVO.  19 

glance,  which  men,  who  have  much  reason  to  dis 
trust,  habitually  cast  on  a  multitude.  It  turned,  with 
the  same  jealous  keenness,  on  the  face  of  the  next  it 
encountered,  and  by  the  time  the  steady  and  well-bal 
anced  form  was  lost  in  the  crowd,  that  quick  and 
glowing  eye  had  gleamed,  in  the  same  rapid  and 
uneasy  manner,  on  twenty  others. 

Neither  the  gondolier  nor  the  mariner  of  Cala 
bria  spoke,  until  their  riveted  gazes  after  the  retiring 
figure,  became  useless.  Then  the  former  simply 
ejaculated,  with  a  strong  respiration — 

"Jacopo!" 

His  companion  raised  three  of  his  fingers,  with 
an  occult  meaning,  towards  the  palace  of  the  doges. 

"  Do  they  let  him  take  the  air,  even  in  San  Mar- 
Co?"  he  asked,  in  unfeigned  surprise. 

"  It  is  not  easy,  caro  amico,  to  make  water  run 
up  stream,  or  to  stop  the  downward  current.  It  is 
said  that  most  of  the  senators  would  sooner  lose 
their  hopes  of  the  horned  bonnet,  than  lose  him.  Ja 
copo  !  He  knows  more  family  secrets  than  the  good 
Priore  of  San  Marco  himself,  and  he,  poor  man,  is 
half  his  time  in  the  confessional." 

"Ay,  they  are  afraid  to  put  him  in  an  iron  jacket, 
lest  awkward  secrets  should  be  squeezed  out." 

"  Corpo  di  Bacco !  there  would  be  little  peace  in 
Venice,  if  the  Council  of  Three  should  take  it  into 
their  heads  to  loosen  the  tongue  of  yonder  man  in 
that  rude  manner." 

"  But  they  say,  Gino,  that  thy  Council  of  Three 
has  a  fashion  of  feeding  the  fishes  of  the  Lagunes, 
which  might  throw  the  suspicion  of  his  death  on 
some  unhappy  Ancona-man,  were  the  body  ever  to 
come  up  again." 

"  Well,  no  need  of  ba\vling  it  aloud,  as  if  thou 
wert  hailing  a  Sicilian  through  thy  trumpet,  though 
the  fact  should  be  so.  To  say  the  truth,  there  are 
few  men  in  business  who  are  thought  to  have  more 


20  THE   BRAVO. 

custom   than  he  who  has  just  gone  up  the  piaz- 
zetta."  , 

$«'  Two  sequins  ! "  rejoined  the  Calabrian,  enforcing 
his  meaning  by  a  significant  grimace. 

"  Santa  Madonna  !  Thou  forgettest,  Stefano,  that 
not  even  the  confessor  has  any  trouble  with  a  job 
in  which  he  has  been  employed.  Not  a  caratano 
less  than  a  hundred  will  buy  a  stroke  of  his  art. 
Your  blows,  for  two  sequins,  leave  a  man  leisure 
to  tell  tales,  or  even  to  say  his  prayers  half  the 
time." 

"Jacopo!"  ejaculated  the  other,  with  an  empha 
sis  which  seemed  to  be  a  sort  of  summing  up  of  all 
his  aversion  and  horror. 

The  gondolier  shrugged  his  shoulders,  with  quite 
as  much  meaning  as  a  man  born  on  the  shores  of 
the  Baltic  could  have  conveyed  by  words ;  but  he, 
too,  appeared  to  think  the  matter  exhausted. 

"Stefeno  Milono,"  he  added,  after  a  moment  of 
pause,  "  there  are  things  in  Venjce  which  he,  who 
would  eat  his  maccaroni  in  peace,  would  do  well  to 
forget.  Let  thy  errand  in  port  be  what  it  may,  thou 
art  in  good  season  to  witness  the  regatta  which  will 
be  given  by  the  state,  itself,  to-morrow." 

"  Hast  thou  an  oar  for  that  race  ]" 

"  Giorgio's,  or  mine,  under  the  patronage  of  San 
Teodoro.  The  prize  will  be  a  silver  gondola,  to  him 
who  is  lucky  or  skilful  enough  to  win ;  and  tlun  we 
shall  have  the  nuptials  with  the  Adriatic." 

"  Thy  nobles  had  best  woo  the  bride  well,  for 
there  are  heretics  who  lay  claim  to  her  good-will. 
I  met  a  rover  of  strange  rig  and  miraculous  fleet- 
ness,  in  rounding  the  headlands  of  Otranto,  who 
seemed  to  have  half  a  mind  to  follow  the  felucca  in 
her  path  towards  the  Lagunes." 

"  Did  the  sight  warm  thee  at  the  soles  of  thy  feet, 
Gino  dear?" 

"  There  was  not  a  turbaned  head  on  his  deck,  but 


THE   BFAVO,  21 

every  sea-cap  set  upon  a  well-covered  poll  and  a 
shorn  chin.  Thy  Bucentaur  is  no  longer  the  bravest 
craft  that  floats  between  Dalmatia  and  the  islands, 
though  her  gilding  may  glitter  brightest.  There  are 
men  beyond  the  pillars  of  Hercules  who  are  not 
satisfied  with  doing  all  that  can  be  done  on  their  own 
coasts,  but  who  are  pretending  to  do  much  of  that 
which  can  be  done  on  ours." 

"The  republic  is  a  little  aged,  caro,  and  years 
need  rest.  The  joints  of  the  Bucentaur  are  racked 
by  time  and  many  voyages  to  the  Lido.  I  have 
heard  my  master  say  that  the  leap  of  the  winged 
lion  is  not  as  far  as  it  \vas,  even  in  his  young  days." 

"  Don  Camillo  has  t1  e  reputation  of  talking  boldly 
of  the  foundation  of  this  city  of  piles,  when  he  has 
the  roof  of  old  Sant'  Agata  safely  over  his  head. 
Were  he  to  speak  more  reverently  of  the  horned 
bonnet,  and  of  the  Council  of  Three,  his  pretensions 
to  succeed  to  the  rights  of  his  forefathers  might  seem 
juster  in  the  eyes  of  his  judges.  But  distance  is  a 
great  mellower  of  colors,  and  softener  of  fears.  My 
own  opinion  of  the  speed  of  the  felucca,  and  of 
the  merits  of  a  Turk,  undergo  changes  of  this  sort 
between  port  and  the  open  sea ;  and  I  have  known 
thee,  good  Gino,  forget  San  Teodoro,  and  bawl  as 
lustily  to  San  Gennaro,  when  at  Naples,  as  if  thou 
really  f?  \cied  thyself  in  danger  from  the  mountain." 

"  C/£3  must  speak  to  those  at  hand,  in  order  to  be 
quickest  heard,"  rejoined  the  gondolier,  casting  a 
glance  that  was  partly  humorous,  arid  not  without 
superstition,  upwards  at  the  image  which  crowned 
the  granite  column  against  whose  pedestal  he  still 
leaned.  "  A  truth  which  warns  us  to  be  prudent, 
for  yonder  Jew  cast  a  look  this  way,  as  if  he  felt  a 
conscientious  scruple  in  letting  any  irreverend  re 
mark  of  ours  go  without  reporting.  The  bearded 
old  rogue  is  said  to  have  other  dealings  with  the 
Three  Hundred  besides  asking  for  the  moneys  he 


22  THE   BRAVO. 

has  lent  to  their  sons.  And  so,  Stefano,  thou  think- 
est  the  republic  will  never  plant  another  mast  of  tri 
umph  in  San  Marco,  or  bring  more  trophies  to  the 
venerable  church?" 

"Napoli  herself,  with  her  constant  change  of 
masters,  is  as  likely  to  do  a  great  act  on  the  sea,  as 
thy  winged  beast,  just  now  !  Thou  art  well  enough 
to  row  a  gondola  in  the  canals,  Gino,  or  to  follow 
thy  master  to  his  Calabrian  castle ;  but  if  thou 
would'st  know  what  passes  in  the  wide  world,  thou 
must  be  content  to  listen  to  mariners  of  the  long 
course.  The  day  of  San  Marco  has  gone  by,  and 
that  of  the  heretics  more  north  has  come." 

"  Thou  hast  been  much,  of  late,  among  the  lying 
Genoese,  Stefano,  that  thou  comest  hither  with  these 
idle  tales  of  what  a  heretic  can  do.  Genova  la  Su- 
perba !  What  has  a  city  of  walls"  to  compare  with 
one  of  canals  and  islands,  like  this  ? — and  what  has 
that  Apennine  republic  performed,  to  be  put  in  com 
parison  with  the  great  deeds  of  the  Queen  of  the 
Adriatic  ?  Thou  forgettest  that  Yenezia  has  been — " 

"  Zitto,  zitto !  that  has  been,  caro  mio,  is  a  great 
word  with  all  Italy.  Thou  art  as  proud  of  the 
past,  as  a  Roman  of  the  Trastevere." 

"  And  the  Roman  of  the  Trastevere  is  right.  Is 
it  nothing,  Stefano  Milano,  to  be  descended  from  a 
great  and  victorious  people?" 

"  It  is  better,  Gino  Monaldi,  to  be  one  of  a  people 
which  is  great  and  victorious  just  now.  The  en 
joyment  of  the  past  is  like  the  pleasure  of  the  fool 
who  dreams  of  the  wine  he  drank  yesterday." 

"  This  is  well  for  a  Neapolitan,  whose  country 
never  was  a  nation,"  returned  the  gondolier,  angrily. 
"  I  have  heard  Don  Camillo,  who  is  one  educated 
as  well  as  born  in  the  land,  often  say  that  half  of  the 
people  of  Europe  have  ridden  the  horse  of  Sicily, 
and  used  the  legs  of  thy  Napoli,  except  those  who 
had  the  best  right  to  the  services  of  both," 


THE   BRAVO.  23 

"  Even  so ;  and  yet  the  figs  are  as  sweet  as  ever, 
and  the  beccafichi  as  tender!  The  ashes  of  the 
volcano  cover  all!" 

"  Gino,"  said  a  voice  of  authority,  near  the  gon 
dolier. 

"  Signore." 

He  who  interippted  the  dialogue  pointed  to  the 
boat,  without  saying  more; 

"A  rivederti,"  hastily  muttered  the  gondolier. 
His  friend  squeezed  his  hand  in  perfect  amity — for, 
in  truth,  they  were  countrymen  by  birth,  though 
chance  had  trained  the  former  on  the  canals — and, 
at  the  next  instant,  Gino  was  arranging  the  cushions 
for  his  master,  having  first  aroused  his  subordinate 
brother  of  the  oar  from  a  profound  sleep. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Hast  ever  swam  in  a  gondola  at  Venice  ? 

SHAKSPEARE. 


Don  Camillo  Monforte  entered  the  gondo 
la,  he  did  not  take  his  seat  in  the  pavilion.  With  an 
arm  leaning  on  the  top  of  the  canopy,  and  his  cloak 
thrown  loosely  over  one  shoulder,  the  young  noble 
stood,  in  a  musing  attitude,  until  his  dexterous  servi 
tors  had  extricated  the  boat  from  the  little  fleet 
which  crowded  the  quay,  and  had  urged  it  into  open 
water.  This  duty  performed,  Gino  touched  his 
scarlet  cap,  and  looked  at  his  master,  as  if  to  inquire 
the  direction  in  which  they  were  to  proceed.  He 
was  answered  by  a  silent  gesture,  that  indicated  the 
route  of  the  great  canal. 

"  Thou  hast  an  ambition,  Gino,  to  show  thy  skill 
in  the  regatta  ?"  Don  Camillo  observed,  when  they 
had  made  a  little  progress.  "  The  motive  merits 


24  TIIE   BRAVO. 

success.  Thou  wast  speaking  to  a  stranger,  when 
I  summoned  thee  to  the  gondola?" 

"  I  was  asking  the  news  of  our  Calabrian  hills 
from  one  who  has  come  into  port  with  his  felucca ; 
though  the  man  took  the  name  of  San  Gennaro  to 
witness  thai  his  former  luckless  voyage  should  be 
the  last."  » 

"  iMpdoes  he  call  his  felucca,  and  what  is  the 
name  of  the  padrone?" 

"  La  Bella  Sorrentina,  commanded  by  a  certain 
Stefano  Milano,  son  of  an  ancient  servant  of  Sant' 
Agata.  The  bark  is  none  of  the  worst  for  speed, 
and  it  has  some  reputation  for  beauty.  It  ought  to 
be  of  happy  fortune,  too,  for  the  good  curato  recom 
mended  it,  with  many  a  devout  prayer,  to  the  Virgin 
and  to  San  Francesco." 

The  noble  appeared  to  lend  more  attention  to  the 
discourse,  which,  until  now,  on  his  part,  had  been 
commenced  in  the  listless  manner  with  which  a  su 
perior  encourages  an  indulged  dependant. 

"La  Betta  Sorrentina!  Have  1  not  reason  to 
know  the  bark?" 

"  Nothing  more  true,  Signore.  Her  padrone  has 
relations  at  Sant'  Agata,  as  I  have  told  your  eccel- 
lenza,  and  his  vessel  has  lain  on  the  beach,  near  the 
castle,  many  a  bleak  winter." 

"  What  brings  him  to  Venice  ?  "     • 

"  That  is  what  I  would  give  my  newest  jacket  of 
your  eccellenza's  colors  to  know,  Signore.  I  have 
as  little  wish  to  inquire  into  other  people's  affairs  as 
any  one,  and  I  very  well  know  that  discretion  is  the 
chief  virtue  of  a  gondolier.  I  ventured,  however, 
a  deadly  hint  concerning  his  errand,  such  as  an 
cient  neighborhood  would  warrant,  but  he  was  as 
cautious  of  his  answers  as  if  he  were  freighted 
with  the  confessions  of  fifty  Christians.  Now,  if 
your  eccellenza  should  see  -fit  to  give  me  authority 
to  question  him,  in  your  name,  the  deuce  is  in't  if, 


THE   BRAVO.  25 

between  respect  for  his  lord,  and  good  management, 
we  could  not  draw  something  more  than  a  lalse  bill 
of  lading  from  him." 

"  Thou  wilt  take  thy  choice  of  my  gondolas  for 
the  regatta,  Gino,"  observed  the  Duke  of  Sant' 
Agata,  entering  the  pavilion,  and  throwing  himself 
orT  the  glossy  black  leathern  cushions,  without  ad 
verting  to  the  s€|gestion  of  his  servant. 

The  gondola  continued  its  noiseless  coft*se,  with 
the  sprite-like  movement  peculiar  to  that  description 
of  boat.  Gino,  who,  as  superior  over  his  fellow, 
stood  perched  on  the  little  arched  deck  in  the  stern, 
pushed  his  oar  with  accustomed  readiness  and  skill, 
now  causing  the  light  vessel  to  sheer  to  the  right, 
and  now  to  the  left,  as  it  glided  among  the  multitude 
of  crafts,  of  all  sizes  and  uses,  which  it  met  in  its 
passage.  Palace  after  palace  had  been  passed,  and 
more  than  one  of  the  principle  canals,  which  di 
verged  towards  the  different  spectacles,  or  the  other 
places  of  resort  frequented  by  his  master,  were  left 
behind,  without  Don  Camillo  giving  any  new  direc 
tion.  At  length  the  boat  arrived  opposite  to  a  build 
ing,  which  seemed  to  excite  more  than  common  ex 
pectation.  Giorgio  worked  his  oar  with  a  single 
hand,  looking  over  his  shoulder  at  Gino,  and  Gino 
permitted  his  blade  fairly  to  trail  on  the  water.  Both 
seemed  to  awrait  new  orders,  manifesting  something 
like  that  species  of  instinctive  sympathy  with  him 
they  served,  which  a  long  practised  horse  is  apt  to 
show  when  he  draws  near  a  gate,  that  is  seldom 
passed  unvisited  by  his  driver. 

The  edifice  which  caused  this  hesitation  in  the 
two  gondoliers,  wras  one  of  those  residences  of  Ven 
ice,  which  are  quite  as  remarkable  for  their  exter 
nal  riches  and  ornaments,  as  for  their  singular  situ 
ation  amid  the  waters.  A  massive  rustic  basement 
of  marble  was  seated  as  solidly  in  the  element,  as 
if  it  grew  from  a  living  rock,  while  story  was  seem- 

VOL.  I.  C 


26  THE   BRAVO. 

ingly  raised  on  story,  in  the  wanton  observance  of 
the  most  capricious  rules  of  meretricious  architec 
ture,  until  the  pile  reached  an  altitude  that  is  little 
known,  except  in  the  dwellings  of  princes.  Colon 
nades,  medallions,  and  massive  cornices,  overhung 
the  canal,  as  if  the  art  of  man  had  taken  pride  in 
loading  the  superstructure  in  a  manner  to  mock  the 
unstable  element  which  concealed  j^  base.  A  flight 
of  stepspon  which  each  gentle  undulation  produced 
by  the  passage  of  the  barge  washed  a  wave,  con 
ducted  to  a  vast  vestibule,  that  answered  many  of 
the  purposes  of  a  court.  Two  or  three  gondolas 
were  moored  near,  but  the  absence  of  their  people 
showed  they  were  for  the  use  of  those  who  dwelt 
within.  The  boats  were  protected  from  rough  col 
lision  with  the  passing  craft,  by  piles  driven  oblique 
ly  into  the  bottom.  Similar  spars,  with  painted  and 
ornamented  heads,  that  sometimes  bore  the  colors 
and  arms  of  the  proprietor,  formed  a  sort  of  little 
haven  for  the  gondolas  of  the  household,  before  the 
door  of  every  dwelling  of  mark. 

"  Where  is  it  the  pleasure  of  your  eccellenza  to  be 
rowed  ? "  asked  Gino,  when  he  found  his  sympathetic 
delay  had  produced  no  order. 

"  To  the  Palazzo." 

Giorgio  threw  a  glance  of  surprise  back  at  his 
comrade,  but  the  obedient  gondola  shot  by  the 
gloomy,  though  rich  abode,  as  if  the  little  bark  had 
suddenly  obeyed  an  inward  impulse.  In  a  moment 
more,  it  whirled  aside,  and  the  hollow  sound,  caused 
by  the  plash  of  water  between  high  walls,  announc- 
"  ed  its  entrance  into  a  narrower  canal.  With  short 
ened  oars,  the  men  still  urged  the  boat  ahead,  now 
turning  short  into  some  new  channel,  now  glancing 
beneath  a  low  bridge,  and  now  uttering,  in  the 
sweet  shrill  tones  of  the  country  and  their  craft,  the 
well-known  warning  to  those  who  were  darting  in 
an  opposite  direction,  A  back-stroke  of  Gino's  oar, 


THE   BRAVO.  27 

however,  soon  brought  the  side  of  the  arrested  boat 
to  a  flight  of  steps. 

"  Thou  wilt  follow  me,"  said  Don  Camillo,  as  he 
placed  his  foot,  with  the  customary  caution,  on  the 
moist  stone,  and  laid  a  hand  on  the  shoulder  of  Gino ; 
"  I  have  need  of  thee." 

Neither  the  vestibule,  nor  the  entrance,  nor  the 
other  \isible  accessories  of  the  dwelling,  wrere  so 
indicative  of  luxury  and  wealth  as  that  of  the 
palace  on  the  great  canal.  Still,  they  were  all  such 
as  denoted  the  residence  of  a  noble  of  consideration. 

"  Thou  wilt  do  wisely,  Gino,  to  trust  thy  fortunes 
to  the  new  gondola,"  said  the  master,  as  he  mounted 
the  heavy  stone  stairs,  to  an  upper  floor,  pointing  as 
he  spoke  to  a  new  and  beautiful  boat,  wrhich  lay  in 
a  corner  of  the  large  vestibule,  as  carriages  are  seen 
standing  in  the  courts  of  houses  built  on  more  solid 
ground.  •"  He  who  would  find  favor  with  Jupiter 
must  put  his  own  shoulder  to  the  wheel,  thou  know- 
est,  my  friend." 

The  eye  of  Gino  brightened,  and  he  was  voluble 
in  his  expression  of  thanks.  They  had  ascended  to 
the  first  floor,  and  were  already  deep  in  a  suit  of 
gloomy  apartments,  before  the  gratitude  and  profes 
sional  pride  of  the  gondolier  were  exhausted. 

"Aided  by  a  powerful  arm  and  a  fleet  gondola, 
thy  chance  will  be  as  good  as  another's,  Gino,"  said 
Don  Camillo,  closing  the  door  of  his  cabinet  on  his 
servant ;  "  at  present,  thou  mayest  give  some  proof 
of  zeal  in  my  service,  in  another  manner.  Is  the 
face  of  a  man  called  Jacopo  Frontoni  known  to 
thee]" 

"Eccellenza!"  exclaimed  the  gondolier,  gasping 
for  breath. 

"  I  ask  thee  if  thou  knowest  the  countenance  of 
one  named  Frontoni  ? " 

"His  countenance,  Signore!" 

"By  what  else  would'st  thou  distinguish  a  man?" 


28  THE   BRAVO. 

"  A  man,  Signer'  Don  Camillo !" 

"Art  thou  mocking  thy  master,  Gino?  I  have 
asked  thee  if  thou  art  acquainted  with  the  person 
of  a  certain  Jacopo  Frontoni ;  a  dweller  here  in 
Venice?" 

"  Eccellenza,  yes." 

"  He  I  mean  has  been  long  remarked  by  the  mis 
fortunes  of  his  family,  the  father  being  now  in  exile 
on  the  Dalmatian  coast,  or  elsewhere." 

"  Eccellenza,  yes.1' 

"  There  are  many  of  the  name  of  Frontoni,  and 
it  is  important  that  thou  should'st  not  mistake  the 
man.  Jacopo,  of  that  family,  is  a  youth  of  some 
five-and-twenty,  of  an  active  frame  and  melancholy 
visage,  and  of  less  vi\acity  of  temperament,  than  is 
wont,  at  his  years." 

"  Eccellenza,  yes." 

"  One  who  resorts  but  little  with  his  fellows,  and 
who  is  rather  noted  for  the  silence  and  industry 
with  which  he  attends  to  his  concerns,  than  for  any 
of  the  usual  pleasantries  and  trifling  of  men  of  his 
cast.  A  certain  Jacopo  Frontoni,  that  hath  his 
abode  somewhere  near  the  arsenal?" 

"  Cospetto !  Signor'  Duca,  the  man  is  as  well 
known  to  us  gondoliers,  as  the  bridge  of  the  Rialto ! 
Your  eccellenza  has  no  need  to  trouble  yourself  to 
describe  him." 

Don  Camillo  Monforte  was  searching  among  the 
papers  of  a  secretary.  He  raised  his  eyes  in  some 
little  amazement,  at  the  sally  of  his  dependant,  and 
then  he  quietly  resumed  his  occupation. 

"  If  thou  knowest  the  man,  it  is  enough." 

"  Eccellenza,  yes.  And  what  is  your  pleasure 
wTith  this  accursed  Jacopo?" 

The  Duke  of  Sanf  Agata  seemed  to  recollect  him 
self.  He  replaced  the  papers  which  had  been  de 
ranged,  and  he  closed  the  secretary. 

"  Gino,"  he  said,  in  a  tone  of  confidence  and  ami- 


THE   BRAVO.  29 

ty,  "  thou  wert  born  on  my  estates,  though  so  long 
trained  here  to  the  oar  in  Venice,  and  thou  hast 
passed  thy  life  in  my  service." 

"  Eccellenza,  yes." 

"  It  is  my  desire  that  thou  should'st  end'  thy  days 
where  they  began.  I  have  had  much  confidence  in 
thy  discretion,  hitherto,  and  I  have  satisfaction  in 
saying  it  has  never  failed  thee,  notwithstanding  thou 
hast  necessarily  been  a  witness  of  some  exploits  of 
youth,  which  might  have  drawn  embarrassment 
on  thy  master,  were  thy  tongue  less  disposed  to  si 
lence." 

"  Eccellenza,  yes." 

Don  Capiillo  smiled;  but  the  gleam  of  humor 
gave  way  to  a  look  of  grave  and  anxious  thought. 

"As  thou  knowest  the  person  of  him  I  have 
named,  our  affair  is  simple.  Take  this  packet,"  he 
continued,  placing  a  sealed  letter  of  more  than  usual 
size  into  the  hand  of  the  gondolier,  and  drawing 
from  his  finger  a  signet  ring,  "  with  this  token  of 
thy  authority.  Within  that  arch  of  the  Doge's  pal 
ace,  which  leads  to  the  canal  of  San  Marco,  beneath 
the  Bridge  of  Sighs,  thou  wilt  find  Jacopo.  Give 
him  the  packet ;  and  should  he  demand  it,  withhold 
not  the  ring.  Wait  his  bidding,  and  return  with  the 
answrer." 

Gino  received  this  commission  with  profound  re 
spect,  but  with  an  awe  he  could  not  conceal.  Ha 
bitual  deferenc3  to  his  master  appeared  to  struggle 
with  deep  distaste  for  the  office  he  was  required  to 
perform ;  and  there  was  even  some  manifestation 
of  a  more  principled  reluctance,  in  his  hesitating 
yet  humble  manner.  If  Don  Camillo  noted  the  air 
and  countenance  of  his  menial  at  all,  he  effectually 
concealed  it. 

"  At  the  arched  passage  of  the  palace,  beneath 
the  Bridge  of  Sighs,"  he  coolly  added ;  "  and  let 
C2 


30  THE   BRAVO. 

thy  arrival  there  be  timed,  as  near  as  may  be,  to  the 
first  hour  of  the  night." 

"  I  would,  Signore,  that  you  had  been  pleased  to 
command  Giorgio  and  me  to  row  you  to  Padua !" 

"  The  way  is  long.  Why  this  sudden  wish  to 
weary  thyself?" 

"  Because  there  is  no  Doge's  palace,  nor  any 
Bridge  of  Sighs,  nor  any  dog  of  Jacopo  Fronton!, 
among  the  meadows." 

"  Thou  hast  little  relish  for  this  duty ;  but  thou 
must  know  that  what  the  master  commands,  it  is 
the  duty  of  a  faithful  follower  to  perform.  Thou 
wert  born  my  vassal,  Gino  Monaldi,  and  though 
trained  from  boyhood  in  this  occupation  of  a  gon 
dolier,  thou  art  properly  a  being  of  my  fiefs,  in 
Napoli." 

"  St.  Gennaro  make  me  grateful  for  the  honor, 
Signore!  But  there  is  not  a  water-seller  in  the 
streets  of  Venice,  nor  a  mariner  on  her  canals,  wrho 
does  not  wish  this  Jacopo  anywhere  but  in  the  bo 
som  of  Abraham.  He  is  the  terror  of  every  young 
lover,  and  of  all  the  urgent  creditors  on  the  islands." 

"  Thou  seest,  silly  babbler,  there  is  one  of  the 
former,  at  least,  who  does  not  hold  him  in  dread. 
Thou  wilt  seek  him  beneath  the  Bridge  of  Sighs, 
and,  showing  the  signet,  deliver  the  package  ac 
cording  to  my  instructions." 

"  It  is  certain  loss  of  character  to  be  seen  speak 
ing  with  the  miscreant !  So  lately  as  yesterday,  I 
heard  Annina,  the  pretty  daughter  of  the  old  wine- 
seller  on  the  Lido,  declare,  that  to  be  seen  once  in 
company  with  Jacopo  Frontoni  was  as  bad  as  to  be 
caught  twice  bringing  old  rope  from  the  arsenal,  as 
befell  Roderigo,  her  mother's  cousin." 

"  Thy  distinctions  savor  of  the  morals  of  the 
Lido.  Remember  to  exhibit  the  ring,  lest  he  distrust 
thy  errand." 

"  Could  not  your  eccellenza  set  me  about  clipping 


THE   BRAVO.  31 

the  wings  of  the  lion,  or  painting  a  better  picture 
than  Tiziano  di  Vecelli  ?  I  have  a  mortal  dislike 
even  to  pass  the  mere  compliments  of  the  day  with 
one  of  your  cut-throats.  Were  any  of  our  gondo 
liers  to  see  me  in  discourse  with  the  man,  it  might 
exceed  your  eccellenza's  influence  to  get  me  a  place 
in  the  regatta." 

"  If  he  detain  thee,  Gino,  thou  wilt  wait  his  plea 
sure  ;  and  if  he  dismiss  thee  at  once,  return  hither 
with  all  expedition,  that  I  may  know  the  result." 

"  I  very  well  know,  Signor  Don  Camillo,  that  the 
honor  of  a  noble  is  more  tender  of  reproach  than 
that  of  his  followers,  and  that  the  stain  upon  the 
silken  robe  of  a  senator  is  seen  farther  than  the 
spot  upon  a  velvet  jacket.  If  any  one  unworthy  of 
your  eccellenza's  notice  has  dared  to  offend,  here 
are  Giorgio  and  I,  ready,  at  any  time,  to  show  how 
deeply  we  can  feel  an  indignity  which  touches  our 
master's  credit ;  but  a  hireling  of  two,  or  ten,  or 
even  of  a  hundred  sequins  ! " 

"  I  thank  thee  for  the  hint,  Gino.  Go  thou  and 
sleep  in  thy  gondola,  and  bid  Giorgio  come  into  my 
cabinet." 

"  Signore ! " 

"Art  thou  resolute  to  do  none  of  my  biddings?" 

"  Is  it  your  eccellenza's  pleasure  that  I  go  to  the 
Bridge  of  Sighs  by  the  footways  of  the  streets,  or 
by  the  canals'?" 

"  There  may  be  need  of  a  gondola — thou  wilt  go 
with  the  oar." 

"  A  tumbler  shall  not  have  time  to  turn  round  be 
fore  the  answer  of  Jacopo  shall  be  here." 

With  this  sudden  change  of  purpose,  the  gondo 
lier  quitted  the  room ;  for  the  reluctance  of  Gino  dis 
appeared  the  moment  he  found  the  confidential  duty 
assigned  him  by  his  master  was  likely  to  be  per 
formed  by  another.  Descending  rapidly*  by  a  se 
cret  stairs,  instead  of  entering  the  vestibule,  where 


32  THE   BRAVO. 

half-a-dozen  menials  of  different  employments  were 
in  waiting,  he  passed  by  one  of  the  narrow  corri 
dors  'of  the  palace  into  an  inner  court,  and  thence 
by  a  low  and  unimportant  gate  into  an  obscure 
alley,  which  communicated  with  the  nearest  street. 

Though  the  age  is  one  of  so  great  activity  and 
intelligence,  and  the  Atlantic  is  no  longer  a  barrier 
even  to  the  ordinary  amusements  of  life,  a  great 
majority  of  Americans  have  never  had  an  opportu 
nity  of  personally  examining  the  remarkable  features 
of  a  region,  of  which  the  town  that  Gino  now 
threaded  with  so  much  diligence,  is  not  the  least 
worthy  of  observation.  Those  who  have  been  so 
fortunate  as  to  have  visited  Italy,  therefore,  will  ex 
cuse  us  if  we  make  a  brief,  but  what  we  believe 
useful,  digression,  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  have 
not  had  that  advantage. 

The  city  of  Venice  stands  on  a  cluster  of  low, 
sandy  islands.  It  is  probable  that  the  country  which 
lies  nearest  to  the  gulf,  if  not  the  whole  of  the  im 
mense  plain  of  Lombardy  itself,  is  of  alluvial  forma 
tion.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  origin  of  that 
wide  and  fertile  kingdom,  the  causes  which  have 
given  to  the  Lagunes  their  existence,  and  to  Venice 
its  unique  and  picturesque  foundation,  are  too  appa 
rent  to  be  mistaken.  Several  torrents,  which  flow 
from  the  valleys  of  the  Alps,  pour  their  tribute  into 
the  Adriatic  at  this  point.  Their  waters  come 
charged  with  the  debris  of  the  mountains,  pulverized 
nearly  to  their  original  elements.  Released  from 
the  violence  of  the  stream,  these  particles  have  ne 
cessarily  been  deposited  in  the  gulf,  at  the  spot 
where  they  have  first  become  subjected  to  the  pow 
er  of  the  sea.  Under  the  influence  of  counteract 
ing  currents,  eddies,  and  waves,  the  sands  have  been 
thrown  into  submarine  piles,  until  some  of  the  banks 
have  arisen  above  the  surface,  forming  islands, 
whose  elevation  has  been  gradually  augmented  by 


THE  BRAVO.  33 

the  decay  of  vegetation.  A  glance  at  the  map  will 
show  that,  while  the  Gulf  of  Venice  is  not  literally, 
it  is,  practically,  considered  with  reference  to  the 
effect  produced  by  the  south-east  wind  called  the  Si 
rocco,  at  the  head  of  the  Adriatic.  This  accidental 
circumstance  is  probably  the  reason  why  the  La- 
gunes  have  a  more  determined  character  at  the 
mouths  of  the  minor  streams  that  empty  themselves 
here,  than  at  the  mouths  of  most  of  the  other  rivers, 
which  equally  flow  from  the  Alps  or  the  Apennines, 
into  the  same  shallow  sea. 

The  natural  consequence  of  a  current  of  a  river 
meeting  the  waters  of  any  broad  basin,  and  where 
there  is  no  base  of  rock,  is  the  formation,  at  or  near 
the  spot  where  the  opposing  actions  are  neutralized, 
of  a  bank,  which  is  technically  called  a  bar.  The 
coast  of  the  Union  furnishes  constant  evidence  of 
the  truth  of  this  theory,  every  river  having  its  bar, 
with  channels  that  are  often  shifted,  or  cleared,  by 
the  freshets,  the  gales,  or  the  tides.  The  constant 
and  powerful  operation  of  the  south-eastern  winds 
on  one  side,  with  the  periodical  increase  of  the  Al 
pine  streams  on  the  other,  have  converted  this  bar 
at  the  entrance  of  the  Venetian  Lagunes,  into  a 
succession  of  long,  low,  sandy  islands,  which  extend 
in  a  direct  line,  nearly  across  the  mouth  of  the  gulf. 
The  waters  of  the  rivers  have  necessarily  cut  a  few 
channels  for  their  passage,  or,  what  is  now  a  lagune, 
would  long  since  have  become  a  lake.  Another 
thousand  years  may  so  far  change  the  character  of 
this  extraordinary  estuary,  as  to  convert  the  chan 
nels  of  the  bay  into  rivers,  and  the  muddy  banks 
into  marshes  and  meadows,  resembling  those  that 
are  now  seen  for  so  many  leagues  inland. 

The  low  margin  of  sand  that,  in  truth,  gives  all 
its  maritime  security  to  the  port  of  Venice  and  the 
Lagunes,  is  called  the  Lido  di  Palestrino.  It  has 
been  artificially  connected  and  secured,  in  many 


34  THE   BRAVO. 

places,  and  the  wall  of  the  Lido  (literally  the  beach), 
though  incomplete,  like  most  of  the  great  and  vaunt 
ed  works  of  the  other  hemisphere,  and  more  par 
ticularly  of  Italy,  ranks  with  the  mole  of  Ancona, 
and  the  sea-wall  of  Cherbourg.  The  hundred  little 
islands  which  now  contain  the  ruins  of  what,  dur 
ing  the  middle  ages,  was  the  mart  of  the  Mediter 
ranean,  are  grouped  together  within  cannon-shot 
of  the  natural  barrier.  Art  has  united  with  nature 
to  turn  the  whole  to  good  account ;  and,  apart  from 
the  influence  of  moral  causes,  the  rivalry  of  a 
neighboring  town,  which  has  been  fostered  by  po 
litical  care,  and  the  gradual  filling  up  of  the  waters, 
by  the  constant  deposit  of  the  streams,  it  would  be 
difficult  to  imagine  a  more  commodious,  or  a.  safer 
haven  when  entered,  than  that  which  Venice  af 
fords,  even  to  this  hour. 

As  all  the  deeper  channels  of  the  Lagunes  have 
been  preserved,  the  city  is  intersected,  in  every  di 
rection,  by  passages,  which,  from  their  appearance, 
are  called  canals,  but  which,  in  truth,  are  no  more 
than  so  many  small  natural  branches  of  the  sea. 
On  the  margin  of  these  passages,  the  walls  of  the 
dwellings  arise  literally  from  out  of  the  water,  since 
economy  of  room  has  caused  their  owners  to  ex 
tend  their  possessions  to  the  very  verge  of  the  chan 
nel,  in  the  manner  that  quays  and  wharfs  are  pushed 
into  the  streams  in  our  owrn  country.  In  many  in 
stances  the  islands  themselves  wrere  no  more  than 
banks,  which  were  periodically  ba^re,  and  on  all, 
the  use  of  piles  has  been  necessary  to  support  the 
superincumbent  loads  of  palaces,  churches,  and 
public  monuments,  under  which,  in  the  course  of 
ages,  the  humble  spits  of  sand  have  been  made  to 
groan. 

The  great  frequency  of  the  canals,  and  perhaps 
some  attention  to  economy  of  labor,  has  given  to 
by  far  the  greater  part  of  the  buildings  the  facility 


THE   BftAVO.  35 

of  an  approach  by  water.  But,  while  nearly  every 
dwelling  has  one  of  its  fronts  on  a  canal,  there  are 
always  communications  by  the  rear  with  the  inte 
rior  passages  of  the  town.  It  is  a  fault  in  most  de 
scriptions,  that  while  the  stranger  hears  so  much 
of  the  canals  of  Venice,  but  little  is  said  of  her 
streets:  still,  narrow,  paved,  commodious,  and 
noiseless  passages,  of  this  description,  intersect  all 
the  islands,  which  communicate  with  each  other  by 
means  of  a  countless  number  of  bridges.  Though 
the  hoof  of  a  horse,  or  the  rumbling  of  a  wheel  is 
never  heard  in  these  strait  avenues,  they  are  of 
great  resort  for  all  the  purposes  of  ordinary  in 
tercourse. 

Gino  issued  into  one  of  these  thoroughfares,  when 
he  quitted  the  private  passage  which  communicated 
with  the  palace  of  his  master.  He  threaded  the 
throng  by  which  it  was  crowded,  with  a  dexterity 
that  resembled  the  windings  of  an  eel,  among  the 
weeds  of  the  Lagunes.  To  the  numerous  greetings 
of  his  fellows,  he  replied  only  by  nods ;  nor  did  he 
once  arrest  his  footsteps,  until  they  had  led  him 
through  the  door  of  a  low  and  dark  dwelling,  that 
stood  in  a  quarter  of  the  place  which  was  inhabited 
by  people  of  an  inferior  condition.  Groping  his  - 
way  among  casks,  cordage,  and  rubbish  of  all  de 
scriptions,  the  gondolier  succeeded  in  finding  an 
inner  and  retired  door,  that  opened  into  a  small 
room,  whose  only  light  came  from  a  species  of 
well,  that  descended  between  the  walls  of  the  adja 
cent  houses  and  that  in  which  he  was. 

"Blessed  St  Anne!  Is  it  thou,  Gino  Monaldi!" 
exclaimed  a  smart  Venetian  grisette,  whose  tones 
and  manner  betrayed  as  much  of  coquetry  as  of 
surprise.  "  On  foot,  and  by  the  secret  door ;  is  this 
an  hour  to  come  on  any  of  thy  errands?" 

"  Truly,  Annina,  it  is  not  the  season  for  affairs 
with  thy  father,  and  it  is  something  early  for  a  visit 


36  THE   BRAVO. 

to  thee.  But  there  is  less  time  for  words  than  for 
action,  just  now.  For  the  sake  of  San  Teodoro, 
and  that  of  a  constant  and  silly  young  man,  who, 
if  not  thy  slave,  is  at  least  thy  dog,  bring  forth  the 
jacket  I  wore  when  we  went  together  to  see  the 
merry-making  at  Fusina." 

"  I  know  nothing  of  thy  errand,  Gino,  nor  of  thy 
reason  for  wishing  to  change  thy  master's  livery 
for  the  dress  of  a  common  boatman.  Thou  art  far 
more  comely  with  those  silken  flowers,  than  in  this 
faded  velveteen ;  and  if  I  have  ever  said  aught  in 
commendation  of  its  appearance,  it  was  because 
we  were  bent  on  merry-making,  and  being  one  of 
the  party,  it  would  have  been  churlish  to  have 
withheld*  a  word  of  praise  to  a  companion,  who, 
as  thou  knowest,  does  not  dislike  a  civil  speech  in 
his  own  praise." 

"  Zitto,  zitto  !  here  is  no  merry-making  and  com 
panions,  but  a  matter  of  gravity,  and  one  that 
must  be  performed  off-hand.  The  jacket,  if  thou 
lovest  me ! " 

Annina,  who  had  not  neglected  essentials  while 
she  moralized  on  motives,  threw  the  garment  on  a 
stool,  that  stood  within  reach  of  the  gondolier's 
hand,  as  he  made  this  strong  appeal,  in  a  way  to 
show  that  she  was  not  to  be  surprised  out  of  a 
confession  of  this  sort,  even  in  the  most  unguarded 
moment. 

"If  I  love  thee,  truly!  Thou  hast  the  jacket, 
Gino,  and  thou  mayest  search  in  its  pockets  for  an 
answer  to  thy  letter,  for  which  I  do  not  thank  thee 
for  having  got  the  duca's  secretary  to  indite.  A 
maiden  should  be  discreet  in  affairs  of  this  sort, 
for  one  never  knows  but  he  may  make  a  confidant 
of  a  rival." 

"  Every  word  of  it  as  true  as  if  the  devil  him 
self  had  done  the  office  for  me,  girl,"  muttered  Gino, 
uncasing  himself  from  his  flowery  vestment,  and  as 


THE   BRAVO.  37 

rapidly  assuming  the  plainer  garment  he  had  sought. 
"  The  cap,  Annina,  and  the  mask  ? " 

"  One  who  wears  so  false  a  face,  in  common,  has 
little  need  of  a  bit  of  silk  to  conceal  his  counte 
nance,"  she  answered,  throwing  him,  notwithstand 
ing,  both  the  articles  he  required. 

"  This  is  well — Father  Battista  himself,  who 
boasts  he  can  tell  a  sinner  from  a  penitent  merely 
by  the  savor  of  his  presence,  would  never  suspect 
a  servitor  of  Don  Camillo  Monforte  in  this  dress ! 
Cospetto !  but  I  have  half  a  mind  to  visit  that  knave 
of  a  Jew,  who  has  got  thy  golden  chain  in  pledge, 
and  give  him  a  hint  of  what  may  be  the  conse 
quences,  should  he  insist  on  demanding  double  the 
rate  of  interest  we  agreed  on." 

"  'Twould  be  Christian  justice !  but  what  wouid 
become  of  thy  matter  of  gravity  the  while,  Gino, 
and  of  thy  haste  to  enter  on  its  performance  ? " 

"  Thou  sayest  truly,  girl.  Duty,  above  all  other 
things ;  though  to  frighten  a  grasping  Hebrew  may 
be  as  much  of  a  duty  as  other  matters.  Are  all 
thy  father's  gondolas  in  the  water  T' 

"  How  else  could  he  be  gone  to  the  Lido,  and 
my  brother  Luigi  to  Fusini,  and  the  two  serving- 
men  on  the  usual  business  to  the  islands,  or  how 
'  else  should  I  be  alone  1 " 

" Diavolo !  is  there  no  boat  in  the  canal?" 

"  Thou  art  in  unwonted  haste,  Gino,  now  thou 
hast  a  mask  and  a  jacket  of  velvet !  I  know  not 
that  I  should  suffer  one  to  enter  my  father's  house, 
when  I  am  in  it  alone,  and  take  such  disguises  to  go 
abroad,  at  this  hour.  Thou  wilt  tell  me  thy  errand, 
that  I  may  judge  of  the  propriety  of  what  I  do." 

"Better  ask  the  Three  Hundred  to  open  th« 
leaves  of  their  book  of  doom !  Give  me  the  key  of 
the  outer  door,  girl,  that  I  may  go  my  way." 

"  Not  till  I  know  whether  this  business  is  likely  to 
VOL.  I,  D 


38  THE   BRAVO. 

draw  down  upon  my  father  the  displeasure  of  the 
senate.  Thou  knowest,  Gino,  that  I  am — " 

"  Diamine !  There  goes  the  clock  of  San  Marco, 
and  I  tarry  past  my  hour.  If  I  am  too  late,  the 
fault  will  rest  with  thee ! " 

"  'Twill  not  be  the  first  of  thy  oversights,  which 
it  has  been  my  business  to  excuse.  Here  thou  art, 
and  here  shalt  thou  remain,  until  I  know  the  errand 
which  calls  for  a  mask  and  jacket,  and  all  about 
this  matter  of  gravity." 

"  This  is  talking  like  a  jealous  wife,  instead  of  a 
reasonable  girl,  Annina.  I  have  told  thee  that  I  am 
on  business  of  the  last  importance,  and  that  delay 
may  bring  heavy  calamities." 

"  On  whom  ? — What  is  thy  business  ?  Why  art 
thou,  whom  in  general  it  is  necessary  to  warn  from 
this  house  by  words  many  times  repeated,  now  in 
such  a  haste  to  leave  it?" 

"  Have  I  not  told  thee,  girl,  'tis  an  errand  of 
great  concern  to  six  noble  families,  and  if  I  fail  to 
be  in  season,  there  may  be  a  strife — ay,  between 
the  Florentine  and  the  republic  !" 

"  Thou  hast  said  nothing  of  the  sort,  nor  do  I 
put  faith  in  thy  being  an  ambassador  of  San  Marco. 
Speak  truth  for  once,  Gino  Monaldi,  or  lay  aside 
the  mask  and  jacket,  and  take  up  thy  flowers  of 
Sant'  Agata." 

"  Well,  then,  as  we  are  friends,  and  I  have  faith 
in  thy  discretion,  Annina,  thou  shalt  know  the  truth 
to  the  extremity,  for  I  find  the  bell  has  only  tolled 
the  quarters,  which  leaves  me  yet  a  moment  for 
confidence." 

"  Thou  lookest  at  the  wall,  Gino,  and  art  con 
sulting  thy  wits  for  some  plausible  lie ! " 

"  I  look  at  the  wall  because  conscience  tells  me 
that  too  much  weakness  for  thee  is  about  to  draw 
me  astray  from  duty.  What  thou  takest  for  deceit 
is  only  shame  and  modesty." 


THE   BRAVO.  39 

"  Of  that  we  shall  judge,  when  the  tale  is  told." 

"Then  listen.  Thou  hast  heard  of  the  affair 
between  my  master  and  the  niece  of  the  Roman 
Marchese,  who  was  drowned  in  the  Giudecca,  by 
the  carelessness  of  an  Ancona-man,  who  passed 
over  the  gondola  of  Pietro  as  if  his  felucca  had 
been  a  galley  of  state  ? " 

"  Who  has  been  upon  the  Lido,  the  month  past, 
without  hearing  the  tale  repeated,  with  every  varia 
tion  of  a  gondolier's  anger  1 " 

"Well,  the  matter  is  likely  to  come  to  a  conclu 
sion  this  night ;  my  master  is  about  to  do,  as  I  fear, 
a  very  foolish  thing !" 

"He  will  be  married?" 

"  Or  worse  ; — I  am  sent,  in  all  haste  arid  secrecy, 
in  search  of  a  priest." 

Annina  manifested  strong  interest  in  the  fiction 
of  the  gondolier.  Either  from  a  distrustful  temper 
ament,  long  habit,  or  great  familiarity  with,  the 
character  of  her  companion,  however,  she  did  not 
listen  to  his  explanation  without  betraying  some 
doubts  of  its  truth. 

"  This  will  be  a  sudden  bridal  feast ! "  she  said, 
after  a  moment  of  pause. — "  'Tis  well  that-  few  are 
invited,  or  its  savor  might  be  spoiled  by  the  Three 
Hundred !  To  what  convent  art  thou  sent  ? " 

"  My  errand  is  not  particular.  The  first  that  may 
be  found,  provided  he  be  a  Franciscan,  and  a  priest 
likely  to  have  bowels  for  lovers  in  haste." 

i'  Don  Camillo  Monforte,  the  heir  of  an  ancient 
and  great  line,  does  not  wive  with  so  little  caution. 
Thy  false  tongue  has  been  trying  to  deceive  me, 
Gino;  but  long  use  should  have  taught  thee  the  folly 
of  the  effort.  Unless  thou  sayest  truth,  not  only 
shalt  thou  not  go  to  thy  errand,  but  here  art  thou 
prisoner  at  my  pleasure." 

"  I  may  have  told  thee  what  I  expect  will  shortly 
happen,  rather  than  what  has  happened.  But  Don 


40  THE   BRAVO. 

Camillo  keeps  me  so  much  upon  the  water  of  late, 
that  I  do  Kttle  beside  dream,  when  not  at  the  oar." 

"It  is  vain  to  attempt  deceiving  me,  Gino,  for 
thine  eye  speaketh  truth,  let  thy  tongue  and  brains 
wander  where  they  will.  Drink  of  this  cup,  and 
disburthen  thy  conscience,  like  a  man." 

"I  would  that  thy  father  would  make  the  ac 
quaintance  of  Stefano  Milano ! "  resumed  the  gon 
dolier,  taking  a  long  breath,  after  a  still  longer 
draught.  "  'Tis  a  padrone  of  Calabria,  who  often 
times  brings  into  the  port  excellent  liquors  of  his 
country,  and  who  would  pass  a  cask  of  the  red 
lachrymse  christi  through  the  Broglio  itself,  and  not 
a  noble  of  them  all  should  see  it.  The  man  is  here 
at  present,  and,  if  thou  wilt,  he  shall  not  be  long 
without  coming  into  terms  with  thee  for  a  few 
skins." 

"  I  doubt  if  he  have  better  liquors  than  this  which 
hath  ripened  upon  the  sands  of  the  Lido.  Take  an 
other  draught,  for  the  second  taste  is  thought  to  be 
better  than  the  first." 

"  If  the  wine  improve  in  this  manner,  thy  father 
should  be  heavy-hearted  at  the  sight  of  the  lees! 
'T  would  be  no  more  than  charity  to  bring  him  and 
Stefano  acquainted." 

"  Why  not  do  it,  immediately  ?  His  felucca  is  in 
the  port,  thou  sayest,  and  thou  canst  lead  him  hither 
by  the  secret  door  and  the  lanes." 

"  Thou  forgettest  my  errand.  Don  Camillo  is  not 
used  to  be  served  the  second.  Cospetto  !  'Twere  a 
pity  that  any  other  got  the  liquor  which  I  am  cer 
tain  the  Calabrian  has  in  secret." 

"  This  errand  can  be  no  matter  of  a  moment,  like 
that  of  being  sure  of  wine  of  the  quality  thou 
namest ;  or,  if  it  be,  thou  canst  first  dispatch  thy 
master's  business,  and  then  to  the  port,  in  quest 
of  Stefano.  That  the  purchase  may  not  fail,  I 
will  take  a  mask  and  be  thy  companion,  to  see 


THE    BRAVO.  „  41 

the  Calabrian.  Thou  knowest  my  father  hath 
much  confidence  in  my  judgment  in  matters  like 
this." 

While  Gino  stood  half  stupified,  and  half  delight 
ed  at  this  proposition,  the  ready  and  wily  Annina 
made  some  slight  change  in  her  outer  garments, 
placed  a  silken  mask  before  her  face,  applied  a  key 
to  the  door,  and  beckoned  to  the  gondolier  to  follow. 

The  canal,  with  which  the  dwelling  of  the  wine- 
dealer  communicated,  was  narrow,  gloomy,  and 
little  frequented.  A  gondola  of  the  plainest  descrip 
tion  was  fastened  near,  and  the  girl  entered  it,  with 
out  appearing  to  think  any  further  arrangement  ne 
cessary.  The  servant  of  Don  Camillo  hesitated  a 
single  instant,  but  having  seen  that  his  half-meditated 
project  of  escaping  by  the  use  of  another  boat, 
could  not  be  accomplished  for  want  of  means,  he 
took  his  wonted  place  in  the  stern,  and  began  to  ply 
the  oar  with  mechanical  readiness. 


CHAPTER,  III. 

What  well-appointed  leader  fronts  us  here  ? 

King  Henry  VI. 

THE  presence  of  Annina  was  a  grave  embarrass 
ment  to  Gino.  He  had  his  secret  wishes  and  limited 
ambition,  like  other  men,  and  among  the  strongest 
of  the  former,  was  the  desire  to  stand  well  in  the 
favor  of  the  wine-seller's  daughter.  But  the  artful 
girl,  in  catering  to  his  palate  with  a  liquor  that  was 
scarcely  less  celebrated  among  people  of  his  class 
for  its  strength  than  its  flavor,  had  caused  a  mo 
mentary  confusion  in  the  brain  of  Gino,  that  re 
quired  time  to  disperse.  The  boat  was  in  the  grand 
canal,  and  far  on  its  wav  to  the  place  of  its  destina- 
D2 


42  THE    BRAVO. 

tion,  before  this  happy  purification  of  the  intellects 
of  the  gondolier  had  been  sufficiently  effected.  By 
that  time,  however,  the  exercise  of  rowing,  the  fresh 
air  of  the  evening,  and  the  sight  of  so  many  accus 
tomed  objects,  restored  his  faculties  to  the  neces 
sary  degree  of  coolness  and  forethought.  As  the 
boat  approached  the  end  of  the  canal,  he  began  to 
cast  his  eyes  about  him  in  quest  of  the  well-known 
felucca  of  the  Calabrian. 

Though  the  glory  of  Venice  had  departed,  the 
trade  of  the  city  was  not  then  at  its  present  low  ebb. 
The  port  was  still  crowded  with  vessels  from  many 
distant  havens,  and  the  flags  of  most  of  the  mari 
time  states  of  Europe  were  seen,  at  intervals,  with 
in  the  barrier  of  the  Lido.  The  moon  was  now 
sufficiently  high  to  cast  its  soft  light  on  the  whole 
of  the  glittering  basin,  and  a  forest,  composed  of 
lattin  yards,  of  the  slender  masts  of  polaccas,  and 
of  the  more  massive  and  heavy  hamper  of  regularly 
rigged  ships,  wras  to  be  seen  rising  above  the  tran 
quil  element. 

"  Thou  art  no  judge  of  a  vessel's  beauty,  Annina," 
said  the  gondolier,  \vho  was  deeply  housed  in  the 
pavilion  of  the  boat,  "  else  should  I  tell  thee  to  look 
at  this  stranger  from  Candia.  'Tis  said  that  a  fairer 
model  has  never  entered  within  the  Lido  than  that 
same  Greek ! " 

"  Our  errand  is  not  with  the  Candian  trader, 
Gino  ;  therefore,  ply  thy  oar,  for  time  presses." 

"  There 's  plenty  of  rough  Greek  wine  in  his  hold ; 
but,  as  thou  sayest,  we  have  naught  with  him.  Yon 
tall  ship,  which  is  moored  without  the  smaller  craft 
of  our  seas,  is  the  vessel  of  a  Lutheran,  from  the 
islands  of  Inghilterra.  'Twas  a  sad  day  for  the  re 
public,  girl,  when  it  first  permitted  the  stranger  to 
come  into  the  waters  of  the  Adriatic  ! " 

"  Is  it  certain,  Gino,  that  the  arm  of  St.  Mark 
was  strong  enough  to  keep  him  out?" 


THE  BRAVO.  43 

"  Body  of  Diana !  I  would  rather  thou  didst  not 
ask  that  question  in  a  place  where  so  many  gondo 
las  are  in  motion !  Here  are  Ragusan,  Maltese,  Sici 
lians,  and  Tuscans,  without  number;  and  a  little 
fleet  of  French  lie  near  each  other,  there,  at  the  en 
trance  of  the  Giudecca.  They  are  a  people  who 
get  together,  afloat  or  ashore,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
tongue.  Here  we  are,  at  the  end  of  our  journey." 

The  oar  of  Gino  gave  a  backward  sweep,  and 
the  gondola  was  at  rest,  by  the  side  of  a  felucca. 

"  A  happy  night  to  the  Bella  Sorrentina  and  her 
worthy  padrone ! "  was  the  greeting  of  the  gondo 
lier,  as  he  put  his  foot  on  the  deck  of  the  vessel. 
"  Is  the  honest  Stefano  Milano  on  board  the  swift 
felucca?" 

The  Calabrian  was  not  slow  to  answer ;  and  in  a 
few  moments  the  padrone  and  his  two  visitors  were 
in  close  and  secret  conference. 

"  I  have  brought  one,  here,  who  will  be  likely  to 
put  good  Venetian  sequins  into  thy  pocket,  caro," 
observed  the  gondolier,  when  the  preliminaries  of 
discourse  had  been  properly  observed.  "  She  is  the 
daughter  of  a  most  conscientious  wine-dealer,  who 
is  quite  as  ready  at  transplanting  your  Sicilian 
grapes  into  the  islands,  as  he  is  willing  and  able  to 
pay  for  them." 

"  And  one,  no  doubt,  as  handsome  as  she  is 
ready,"  said  the  mariner,  with  blunt  gallantry, 
"  were  the  black  cloud  but  fairly  driven  from  before 
her  face." 

"  A  mask  is  of  little  consequence  in  a  bargain, 
provided  the  money  be  forthcoming.  We  are  al 
ways  in  the  Carnival  at  Venice;  and  he  who 
would  buy,  or  he  who  would  sell,  has  the  same 
right  to  hide  his  face  as  to  hide  his  thoughts.  What 
hast  thou  in  the  way  of  forbidden  liquors,  Stefano, 
that  my  companion  may  not  lose  the  night  in  idle 
words  ? " 


44  THE    BRAVO 

"  Per  Diana !  Master  Gino,  thou  puttest  thy  ques 
tions  with  little  ceremony.  The  hold  of  the  felucca 
is  empty,  as  thou  mayest  see  by  stepping  to  the 
hatches ;  and  as  for  any  liquor,  we  are  perishing  for 
a  drop  to  warm  the  blood." 

"  And  so  far  from  coming  to  seek  it  here,"  said 
Annina,  "  we  should  have  done  better  to  have  gone 
into  the  cathedral,  and  said  an  Ave,  for  thy  safe 
voyage  home.  And  now  that  our  wit  is  spent,  we 
will  quit  thee,  friend  Stefano,  for  some  other  less 
skilful  in  answers." 

"  Cospetto  !  thou  knowest  not  what  thou  sayest," 
whispered  Gino,  when  he  found  that  the  wary  An 
nina  was  not  disposed  to  remain.  "  The  man  never 
enters  the  meanest  creek  in  Italy,  without  having 
something  useful  secreted  in  the  felucca,  on  his  own 
account.  One  purchase  of  him  would  settle  the 
question  between  the  quality  of  thy  father's  wines 
and  those  of  Battista.  There  is  not  a  gondolier  in 
Venice  but  will  resort  to  thy  shop,  if  the  intercourse 
with  this  fellow  can  be  fairly  settled." 

Annina  hesitated ;  long  practised  in  the  small,  but 
secret,  and  exceedingly  hazardous  commerce, 
which  her  father,  notwithstanding  the  vigilance  and 
severity  of  the  Venetian  police,  had  thus  far  suc 
cessively  driven,  she  neither  liked  to  risk  an  expo 
sure  of  her  views  to  an  utter  stranger,  nor  to  aban 
don  a  bargain  that  promised  to  be  lucrative.  That 
Gino  trifled  with  her,  as  to  his  true  errand,  needed 
no  confirmation,  since  a  servant  of  the  Duke  of 
Sant'  Agata  was  not  likely  to  need  a  disguise 
to  search  a  priest ;  but  she  knew  his  zeal  for  her 
personal  welfare  too  well,  to  distrust  his  faith  in  a 
matter  that  concerned  her  own  safety. 

"  If  thou  distrust  that  any  here  are  the  spies  of 
the  authorities,"  she  observed  to  the  padrone,  with  a 
manner  that  readily  betrayed  her  wishes,  "  it  will  be 
in  Gino's  power  to  undeceive  thee. — Thou  wilt  testi- 


THE   BRAVO.  45 

fy,  Gino,  that  I  am  not  to  be  suspected  of  treachery 
in  an  affair  like  this." 

.  "  Leave  me  to  put  a  word  into  the  private  ear  of 
the  Calabrian,"  said  the  gdhdolier,  significantly. — 
"  Stefano  Milano,  if  thou  love  me,"  he  continued, 
when  they  were  a  little  apart,  "  keep  the  girl  in 
parley,  and  treat  with  her,  fairly,  for  thy  adven 
ture." 

"  Shall  I  sell  the  vintage  of  Don  Camillo,  or  that 
of  the  Viceroy  of  Sicily,  caro  1  There  is  as  much 
wine  of  each  On  board  the  Bella  Sorrentina,  as 
would  float  the  fleet  of  the  republic." 

"  If,  in  truth,  thou  art  dry,  then  feign  that  thou 
hast  it,  and  differ  in  thy  prices.  Entertain  her,  but  '•** 
a  minute,  with  fair  words,  while  I  can  get,  unseen, 
into  my  gondola ;  and  then,  for  the  sake  of  an  old 
and  tried  friend,  put  her  tenderly  on  the  quay,  in  the 
best  manner  thou  art  able." 

"  I  begin  to  see  into  the  nature  of  the  trade,"  re 
turned  the  pliant  padrone,  placing  a  finger  on  the 
side  of  his  nose.  "  I  will  discourse  the  woman  by 
the  hour,  about  the  flavor  of  the  liquor,  or  if  thou 
wilt,  of  her  own  beauty ;  but  to  squeeze  a  drop  of 
anything  better  than  the  water  of  the  Lagunes  out 
of  the  ribs  of  the  felucca,  would  be  a  miracle  wor 
thy  of  San  Teodoro." 

"  There  is  but  little  need  to  touch  on  aught  but 
the  quality  of  thy  wine.  The  girl  is  not  like  most  of 
her  sex,  and  she  takes  sudden  offence  when  there  is 
question  of  her  appearance.  Indeed,  the  mask  she 
wears  is  as  much  to  hide  a  face  that  has  little  to 
tempt  the  eye,  as  from  any  wish  at  concealment." 

"  Since  Gino  has  entered  frankly  into  the  matter," 
resumed  the  quick-witted  Calabrian,  cheerfully,  and 
with  an  air  of  sudden  confidence,  to  the  expectant 
Annina,  "  I  begin  to  see  more  probability  of  our  un 
derstanding  each  other's  meaning.  Deign,  bella 
donna,  to  go  into  my  poor  cabin,  where  we  will 


46  THE   BRAVO. 

speak  more  at  our  ease,  and  something  more  to  our 
mutual  profit,  and  mutual  security." 

Annina  was  not  without  secret  doubts,  but  she 
suffered  the  padrone  to  lead  her  to  the  stairs  of  the 
cabin,  as  if  she  were  disposed  to  descend.  Her 
back  was  no  sooner  turned,  than  Gino  slid  into  the 
gondola,  which  one  shove  of  his  vigorous  arm  sent 
far  beyond  the  leap  of  man.  The  action  was  sud 
den,  rapid,  and  noiseless ;  but  the  jealous  eye  of 
Annina  detected  the  escape  of  the  gondolier,  though 
not  in  time  to  prevent  it.  Without  betraying  uneasi 
ness,  she  submitted  to  be  led  below,  as  if  the  whole 
were  done  by  previous  concert. 

"  Gino  has  said  that  you  have  a  boat  which  will 
do  the  friendly  office  to  put  me  on  the  quay,  when 
our  conference  is  over,"  she  remarked,  with  a  pres 
ence  of  mind  that  luckily  met  the  expedient  of  her 
late  companion. 

"The  felucca  itself  should  do  that  much,  were 
there  want  of  other  means,"  gallantly  returned  the 
mariner  when  they  disappeared  in  the  cabin. 

Free  to  discharge  his  duty,  Gino  now  plied  his 
task  with  redoubled  zeal.  The  light  boat  glided 
among  the  vessels,  inclining,  by  the  skilful  manage 
ment  of  his  single  oar,  in  a  manner  to  avoid  all  colli 
sion,  until  it  entered  the  narrow  canal  which  sepa 
rates  the  palace  of  the  Doge  from  the  more  beauti 
ful  and  classic  structure  that  contains  the  prisons  of 
the  republic.  The  bridge,  which  continues  the  com 
munication  of  the  quays,  was  first  passed,  and  then 
he  was  stealing  beneath  that  far-famed  arch  which 
supports  a  covered  gallery  leading  from  the  upper 
story  of  the  palace  into  that  of  the  prisons,  and 
which,  from  its  being  appropriated  to  the  passage 
of  the  accused  from  their  cells  to  the  presence  of 
their  judges,  has  been  so  poetically,  and,  it  may  be 
added,  so  pathetically  called  the  Bridge  of  Sighs. 
The  oar  of  Gino  now  relaxed  its  efforts,  and  the 


THE  BRAVO.  47 

gondola  approached  a  flight  of  steps,  over  which, 
as  usual,  the  water  cast  its  little  waves.  Stepping 
on  the  lowest  flag,  he  thrust  a  small  iron  spike,  to 
which  a  cord  was  attached,  into  a  crevice  between 
two  of  the  stones,  and  left  his  boat  to  the  security 
of  this  characteristic  fastening.  When  this  little 
precaution  was  observed,  the  gondolier  passed  up 
lightly  beneath  the  massive  arch  of  the  water-gate 
of  the  palace,  and  entered  its  large  but  gloomy 
court. 

At  -that  hour,  and  with  the  temptation  of  the  gay 
scene  which  offered  in  the  adjoining  square,  the 
place  was  nearly  deserted.  A  single  female  water- 
carrier  was  at  the  well,  waiting  for  the  element  to 
filter  into  its  basin,  in  order  to  fill  her  buckets,  while 
her  ear  listened  in  dull  attention  to  the  hum  of  the 
moving  crowd  without.  A  halberdier  paced  the 
open  gallery  at  the  head  of  the  Giant's  Stairs,  and, 
here  and  there,  the  footfall  of  other  sentinels  might 
be  heard  among  the  hollow  and  ponderous  arches 
of  the  long  corridors.  No  light  was  shed  from  the 
windows ;  but  the  entire  building  presented  a  fit  em 
blem  of  that  mysterious  power  which  was  known 
to  preside  over  the  fortunes  of  Venice  and  her  citi 
zens.  Ere  Gino  trusted  himself  without  the  shadow 
of  the  passage  by  which  he  had  entered,  two  or 
three  curious  faces  had  appeared  at  the  opposite 
entrance  of  the  court,  where  they  paused  a  moment 
to  gaze  at  the  melancholy  and  imposing  air  of  the 
dreaded  palace,  before  they  vanished  in  the  throng 
which  trifled  in  the  immediate  proximity  of  that  se 
cret  and  ruthless  tribunal,  as  man  riots  in  security 
even  on  the  verge  of  an  endless  and  unforeseen 
future. 

Disappointed  in  his  expectation  of  meeting  him 
he  sought,  on  the  instant,  the  gondolier  advanced, 
and  taking  courage  by  the  possibility  of  his  escaping 
altogether  from  the  interview,  he  ventured  to  furnish 


48  THE  BRAVO. 

audible  evidence  of  his  presence  by  a  loud  hem. 
At  that  instant  a  figure  glided  into  the  court  from 
the  side  of  the  quay,  and  walked  swiftly  towards  its 
centre.  The  heart  of  Gino  beat  violently,  but  he 
mustered  resolution  to  meet  the  stranger.  As  they 
drew  near  each  other,  it  became  evident,  by  the  light 
of  the  moon,  which  penetrated  even  to  that  gloomy 
spot,  that  the  latter  was  also  masked. 

"  San  Teodoro  and  San  Marco  have  you  in 
mind !"  commenced  the  gondolier.  "  If  I  mistake 
not,  you  are  the  man  I  am  sent  to  meet." 

The  stranger  started,  and  first  manifesting  an  in 
tention  to  pass  on  quickly,  he  suddenly  arrested  the 
movement  to  reply. 

"  This  may  be  so,  or  not.  Unmask,  that  I  may 
judge  by  thy  countenance  if  what  thou  sayest  be 
true." 

"  By  your  good  leave,  most  worthy  and  honor 
able  Signore,  and  if  it  be  equally  agreeable  to  you 
and  my  master,  I  would  choose  to  keep  off  the  even 
ing  air  by  this  bit  of  pasteboard  and  silk." 

"  Here  are  none  to  betray  thee,  wert  thou  naked 
as  at  thy  birth.  Unless  certain  of  thy  character,  in 
what  manner  may  I  confide  in  thy  honesty  ? " 

"  I  have  no  distrust  of  the  virtues  of  an  undis 
guised  face,  Signore,  and  therefore  do  I  invite  you, 
yourself,  to  exhibit  what  nature  has  done  for  you  in 
the  way  of  features,  that  I,  who  am  to  make  the 
confidence,  be  sure  it  be  to  the  right  person." 

"  This  is  well,  and  gives  assurance  of  thy  pru 
dence.  I  may  not  unmask,  however ;  and  as  there 
seemeth  little  probability  of  our  coming  to  an  un 
derstanding,  I  will  go  my  way.  A  most  happy  night 
to  thee." 

"Cospetto! — Signore,  you  are  far  too  quick  in 
your  ideas  and  movements  for  one  little  used  to  ne 
gotiations  of  this  sort.  Here  is  a  ring  whose  signet 
may  help  us  to  understand  each  other." 


THE  BRAVO.  49 

The  stranger  took  the  jewel,  and  holding  the 
stone  in  a  manner  to  receive  the  light  of  the  moon, 
he  started  in  a  manner  to  betray  both  surprise  and 
pleasure. 

"  This  is  the  falcon  crest  of  the  Neapolitan — he 
that  is  the  lord  of  Sant'  Agata  !" 

"And  of  many  other  fiefs,  good  Signore,  to  say 
nothing  of  the  honors  he  claims  in  Venice.  Am  I 
right  in  supposing  my  errand  with  you?" 

"  Thou  hast  found  one  whose  present  business 
has  no  other  object  than  Don  Oamillo  Monforte. 
But  thy  errand  was  not  solely  to  exhibit  the  signet?' 

"  So  little  so,  that  I  have  a  packet  here  which 
waits  only  for  a  certainty  of  the  person  with  whom 
I  speak,  to  be  placed  into  his  hands." 

The  stranger  mused  a  moment ;  then  glancing  a 
look  about  him,  he  answered  hurriedly — 

"  This  is  no  place  to  unmask,  friend,  even  though 
we  only  wear  our  disguises  in  pleasantry.  Tarry 
here,  and  at  my  return  I  will  conduct  thee  to  a  more 
fitting  spot." 

The  words  were  scarcely  uttered  when  Gino 
found  himself  standing  in  the  middle  of  the  court 
alone.  The  masked  stranger  had  passed  swiftly  on, 
and  was  at  the  bottom  of  the  Giant's  Stairs,  ere  the 
gondolier  had  time  for  reflection.  He  ascended 
with  a  light  and  rapid  step,  and  without  regarding 
the  halberdier,  he  approached  the  first  of  three  or 
four  orifices  which  opened  into  the  wall  of  the  pal 
ace,  and  which,  from  the  heads  of  the  animal  being 
carved  in  relief  around  them,  had  become  famous 
as  the  receptacles  of  secret  accusations,  under  the 
name  of  the  Lion's  Mouths.  Something  he  dropped 
into  the  grinning  aperture  of  the  marble,  .though 
wrhat,  the  distance  and  the  obscurity  of  the  gallery 
prevented  Gino  from  perceiving ;  and  then  his  form 
was  seen  gliding  like  a  phantom  down  the  flight  of 
massive  steps. 

VOL.  I  E 


50  THE  BRAVO. 

Gino  had  retired  towards  the  arch  of  the  water- 
gate,  in  expectation  that  the  stranger  would  rejoin 
him  within  its  shadows;  but,  to  his  great  alarm,  he 
saw  the  form  darting  through  the  outer  portal  of  the 
palace  into  the  square  of  St.  Mark.  It  was  not  a 
moment  ere  Gino,  breathless  \vith  haste,  was  in 
chase.  On  reaching  the  bright  and  gay  scene  of 
the  piazza,  which  contrasted  with  the  gloomy  court 
he  had  just  quitted,  like  morning  with  night,  he  saw 
the  utter  fruitlessness  of  further  pursuit.  Frighten 
ed  at  the  loss  of  his  master's  signet,  however,  the 
indiscreet  but  well-intentioned  gondolier  rushed  into 
the  crowd,  and  tried  in  vain  to  select  the  delinquent 
from  among  a  thousand  masks. 

"  Harkee,  Signore,"  uttered  the  half-distracted 
gondolier*  to  one,  who,  having  first  examined  his 
person  with  distrust,  evidently  betrayed  a  wish  to 
avoid  him ;  "  if  thou  hast  sufficiently  pleased  thy 
finger  with  my  master's  signet,  the  occasion  offers 
to  return  it." 

"  I  know  thee  not,"  returned  a  voice,  in  which 
Gino's  ear  could  detect  no  familiar  sound. 

"  It  may  not  be  well  to  trifle  with  the  displeasure 
of  a  noble  as  powerful  as  him  you  know ;"  he  whis 
pered  at  the  elbow  of  another,  who  had  come,  un 
der  his  suspicions.  "  The  signet,  if  thou  pleasest, 
and  the  affair  need  go  no  further." 

"  He  who  would  meddle  in  it,  with  or  without 
that  gage,  would  do  well  to  pause." 

The  gondolier  again  turned  away  disappointed. 

"  The  ring  is  not  suited  to  thy  masquerade,  friend 
of  mine,"  he  essayed  with  a  third  ;  "  and  it  would 
be  wise  not  to  trouble  the  podesta  about  such  a 
trifle."- 

"  Then  name  it  not,  lest  he  hear  thee."  The  an 
swer  proved,  like  all  the  others,  unsatisfactory  and 
bootless. 

Gino  no\v  ceased  to  question  any ;  but  he  thread- 


THE  BRAVO.  51 

ed  the  throng  with  an  active  and  eager  eye.  Fifty 
times  was  he  tempted  to  speak,  but  as  often  did  some 
difference  in  stature  or  dress,  some  laugh,  or  trifle 
uttered  in  levity,  warn  him  of  his  mistake.  He 
penetrated  to  tire  very  head  of  the  piazza,  and,  re 
turning  by  the  opposite  side,  he  found  his  way 
through  the  throng  of  the  porticoes,  looking  into 
every  coffee-house,  and  examining  each  figure  that 
floated  by,  until  he  again  issued  into  the  piazzetta, 
without  success.  A  slight  jerk  at  the  elbow  of  his 
jacket  arrested  his  steps,  and  he  turned  to  look  at 
the  person  who  had  detained  him.  A  female  attired 
like  a  contadina  addressed  him  in  the  feigned  voice 
common  to  all. 

"  Whither  so  fast,  and  what  hast  thou  lost  in  this 
merry  crowd  ]  If  a  heart,  'twill  be  wise  to  use  dili 
gence,  for  many  here  may  be  willing  to  wear  the 
jewel!" 

"  Corpo  di  Bacco !"  exclaimed  the  disappointed 
gondolier ;  "  any  who  find  such  a  bauble  of  mine 
under  foot,  are  welcome  to  their  luck !  Hast  thou 
seen  a  domino  of  a  size  like  that  of  any  other  man, 
with  a  gait  that  might  pass  for  the  step  of  a  sena 
tor,  padre,  or  Jew,  and  a  mask  that  looks  as  much 
like  a  thousand  of  these  in  the  square  as  one  side  of 
the  campanile  is  like  the  other?" 

"  Thy  picture  is  so  well  drawn,  that  one  cannot 
fail  to  know  the  original.  He  stands  beside  thee." 

Gino  wheeled  suddenly,  and  saw  that  a  grinning 
harlequin  was  playing  his  antics  in  the.  place  where 
he  had  expected  to  find  the  stranger. 

"And  thy  eyes,  bella  eontadina,  are  as  dull  as  a 
mole's." 

He  ceased  speaking,  for,  deceived  in  his  person, 
she  who  had  saluted  him  was  no  longer  visible.  In 
this  manner  did  the  disappointed  gondolier  thread 
his  way  toward  the  water,  now  answering  to  the 
boisterous  salute  of  some  clown,  and  now  repelling 


52  THE    BRAVO. 

the  advances  of  females  less  disguised  than  the  pre 
tended  contadina,  until  he  gained  a  space  near  the 
quays,  where  there  was  more  room  for  observation. 
Here  he  paused,  undetermined  whether  to  return  and 
confess  his  indiscretion  to  his  master,  or  whether  he 
should  make  still  another  effort  to  regain  the  ring 
which  had  been  so  sillily  lost.  The  vacant  space 
between  the  two  granite  columns  was  left  to  the 
quiet  possession  of  himself  and  one  other,  who  stood 
near  the  base  of  that  which  sustained  the  Lion  of 
St.  Mark,  as  motionless  as  if  he  too  were  merely  a 
form  of  stone.  Two  or  three  stragglers,  either  led 
by  idle  curiosity,  or  expecting  to  meet  one  appoint 
ed  to  await  their  coming,  drew  near  this  immova 
ble  man,  but  all  glided  away,  as  if  there  were  re 
pulsion  in  his  marble-like  countenance.  Gino  had 
witnessed  several  instances  of  this  evident  dislike  to 
remain  near  the  unknown  figure,  ere  he  felt  induced 
to  cross  the  space  between  them  in  order  to  inquire 
into  its  cause.  A  slow  movement,  at  the  sound  of 
his  footsteps,  brought  the  rays  of  the  moon  full 
upon  the  calm  countenance  and  searching  eye  of 
the  very  man  he  sought. 

The  first  impulse  of  the  gondolier,  like  that  of  all 
the  others  he  had  seen  approach  the  spot,  was  to 
retreat ;  but  the  recollection  of  his  errand  and  his 
loss  came  in  season  to  prevent  such  an  exhibition 
of  his  disgust  and  alarm.  Still  he  did  not  speak  ; 
but  he  met  the  riveted  gaze  of  the  Bravo  with  a 
look  that  denoted,  equally,  confusion  of  intellect  and 
a  half-settled  purpose. 

"  Would'st  thou  aught  with  me?"  demanded  Ja- 
copo,  when  the  gaze  of  each  had  continued  beyond 
the  term  of  accidental  glances. 

"  My  master's  signet '{" 

"  I  know  thee  not." 

"  That  image  of  San  Teodoro  could  testify  that 
this  is  holy  truth,  if  it  would  but  speak !  I  have  not 


THE    BRAVO.  53 

the  honor  of  your  friendship,  Signor  Jacopo ;  but 
one  may  have  affairs  even  with  a  stranger.  If  you 
met  a  peaceable  and  innocent  gondolier,  in  the 
court  of  the  palace,  since  the  clock  of  the  piazza 
told  the  last  quarter,  and  got  from  him  a  ring,  which 
can  be  of  but  little  use  to  any  but  its  rightful  owner, 
one  so  generous  will  not  hesitate  to  return  it" 

"  Dost  thou  take  me  for  a  jeweller  of  the  Rialto, 
that  thou  speakest  to  me  of  rings  ?" 

"  I  take  you  for  one  well  known  and  much  valued 
by  many  of  name  and  quality,  here  in  Venice,  as 
witness  my  errand  from  my  own  master." 

"  Remove  thy  mask.  Men  of  fair  dealing  need 
not  hide  the  features  which  Nature  has  given  them." 

"  You  speak  nothing  but  truths,  Signor  Frontoni, 
which  is  little  remarkable,  considering  thy  opportu 
nities  of  looking  into  the  motives  of  men.  There  is 
little  in  my  face  to  pay  you  for  the  trouble  of  cast 
ing  a  glance  at  it.  I  would  as  lief  do  as  others 
in  this  gay  season,  if  it  be  equally  agreeable  to 
you." 

"  Do  as  thou  wilt ;  but.  I  pray  thee  to  give  me  the 
same  permission." 

"  There  are  few  so  bold  as  to  dispute  thy  plea 
sure,  Signore," 

"  It  is,  to  be  alone." 

"  Cospetto !  There  is  not  a  man  in  Venice  who 
would  more  gladly  consult  it,  if  my  master's  errand 
were  fairly  done ! "  muttered  Gino,  between  his 
teeth. — "  I  have,  here,  a  packet  which  it  is  my  duty 
to  put  into  your  hands,  Signore,  and  into  those  of 
no  other." 

"  I  know  thee  not — thou  hast  a  name?" 

"  Not  in  the  sense  in  which  you  speak,  Signore. 
As  to  that  sort  of  reputation,  I  am  as  nameless  as  a 
foundling." 

"  If  thy  master  is  of  no  more  note  than  thyself, 
the  packet  may  be  returned," 
E 


54  THE   BRAVO. 

"  There  are  few  within  the  dominions  of  St.  Mark 
of  better  lineage,  or  of  fairer  hopes,  than  the  Duke 
of  Sant'  Agata." 

The  cold  expression  of  the  Bravo's  countenance 
changed. 

"  If  thou  comest  from  Don  Camillo  Monforte, 
why  dost  thou  hesitate  to  proclaim  it  1 — Where  are 
his  requests  ?" 

"  I  know  not  whether  it  is  his  pleasure,  or  that  of 
another,  which  this  paper  contains,  but  such  as  it 
is,  Signor  Jacopo,  my  duty  commands  me  to  deliver 
it  to  thee." 

The  packet  was  received  calmly,  though  the  or 
gan  which  glanced  at  its  seal  and  its  superscription, 
gleamed  with  an  expression  which  the  credulous 
gondolier  fancied  to  resemble  that  of  the  tiger  at 
the  sight  of  blood. 

"  Thou  said'st  something  of  a  ring.  Dost  thou 
bear  thy  master's  signet  ]  I  am  much  accustomed 
to  see  pledges,  ere  I  give  faith." 

"  Blessed  San  Teodoro  grant  that  I  did !  Were 
it  as  heavy  as  a  skin  of  wine,  I  would  willingly 
bear  the  load ;  but  one  that  I  mistook  for  you,  Mas 
ter  Jacopo,  has  it  on  his  own  light  finger,  I  fear." 

"  This  is  an  affair  that  thou  wilt  settle  with  thy 
master,"  returned  the  Bravo,  coldly,  again  examin 
ing  the  impression  of  the  seal. 

"  If  you  are  acquainted  with  the  writing  of  my 
master,"  hurriedly  remarked  Gino,  who  trembled 
for  the  fate  of  the  packet,  "you  will  see  his  skill  in 
the  turn  of  those  letters.  There  are  few  nobles  in 
Venice,  or  indeed  in  the  Sicilies,  who  have  a  more 
scholarly  hand,  with  a  quill,  than  Don  Camillo  Mon 
forte;  I  could  not  do  the  thing  half  so  well  myself." 

"I  am  no  clerk,"  observed  the  Bravo,  without 
betraying  shame  at  the  confession.  "  The  art  of 
deciphering  a  scroll,  like  this,  was  never  taught  me. 


THE   BRAVO.  55 

If  thou  art  so  expert  in  the  skill  of  a  penman,  tell 
me  the  name  the  packet  bears." 

"'T  would  little  become  me  to  breathe  a  syllable 
concerning  any  of  my  master's  secrets,"  returned 
the  gondolier,  drawing  himself  up  in  sudden  reserve. 
"  It  is  enough  that  he  bid  me  deliver  the  letter ;  af 
ter  which  I  should  think  it  presumption  even  to 
whisper  more." 

The  dark  eye  of  the  Bravo  was  seen  rolling  over 
the  person  of  his  companion,  by  the  light  of  the 
moon,  in  a  manner  that  caused  the  blood  of  the 
latter  to  steal  towards  his  heart. 

"  I  bid  thee  read  to  me  aloud  the  name  the  paper 
bears,"  said  Jacopo,  sternly.  "  Here  is  none  but  the 
lion  and  the  saint  above  our  heads  to  listen." 

"  Just  San  Marco  !  who  can  tell  what  ear  is  open, 
or  what  ear  is  shut  in  Venice  ?  If  you  please,  Sig- 
nor  Frontoni,  we  will  postpone  the  examination  to 
a  more  suitable  occasion." 

"  Friend,  I  do  not  play  the  fool !  The  name,  or 
show  me  some  gage  that  thou  art  sent  by  him  thou 
hast  named,  else  take  back  the  packet ;  'tis  no  affair 
for  my  hand." 

"  Reflect  a  single  moment  on  the  consequences, 
Signor  Jacopo,  before  you  come  to  a  determination 
so  hasty." 

"  I  know  no  consequences  which  can  befall  a  man 
who  refuses  to  receive  a  message  like  this." 

"  Per  Diana !  Signore ;  the  Duca  will  not  be 
likely  to  leave  me  an  ear  to  hear  the  good  advice 
of  Father  Battista." 

•'  Then  will  the  Duca  save  the  public  executioner 
some  trouble." 

As  he  spoke,  the  Bravo  cast  the  packet  at  the  feet 
of  the  gondolier,  and  began  to  walk  calmly  up  the 
piazzetta.  Gino  seized  the  letter,  and,  with  his  brain 
in  a  whirl,  with  the  effort  to  recall  some  one  of  his 
master's  acquaintances  to  whom  he  would  be  likely 


56  THE   BRAVO. 

to  address  an  epistle  on  such  an  occasion,  he  fol 
lowed. 

"  I  wonder,  Signor  Jacopo,  that  a  man  of  your 
sagacity  has  not  remembered  that  a  packet  to  be 
delivered  to  himself,  should  bear  his  own  name." 

The  Bravo  took  the  paper,  and  held  the  super 
scription  again  to  the  light. 

"  That  is  not  so.  Though  unlearned,  necessity 
has  taught  me  to  know  when  I  am  meant." 

"  Diamine !  That  is  just  my  own  case,  Signore. 
Were  the  letter  for  me,  now,  the  old  should  not 
know  its  young,  quicker  than  I  would  come  at  the 
truth." 

"  Then  thou  canst  not  read?" 

"  I  never  pretended  to  the  art.  The  little  said 
was  merely  about  writing.  Learning,  as  you  well 
understand,  Master  Jacopo,  is  divided  into  reading, 
writing,  and  figures ;  and  a  man  may  well  under 
stand  one,  without  knowing  a  word  of  the  others. 
It  is  not  absolutely  necessary  to  be  a  bishop  to  have 
a  shaved  head,  or  a  Jew  to  wear  a  beard." 

"  Thou  would'st  have  done  better  to  have  said 
this  at  once ;  go,  I  will  think  of  the  matter." 

Gino  gladly  turned  away,  but  he  had  not  left  the 
other  many  paces,  before  he  saw  a  female  form 
gliding  behind  the  pedestal  of  one  of  the  granite 
columns.  Moving  swiftly  in  a  direction  to  uncover 
this  seeming  spy,  he  saw  at  once  that  Annina  had 
been  a  witness  of  his  interview  with  the  Bravo. 


THE  BRAVO.  57 


CHAPTER  IV. 

'Twill  make  me  think 

The  world  is  full  of  rubs,  and  that  my  fortune 
Runs  'gainst  the  bias. 

Richard  the  Second. 

THOUGH  Venice  at  that  hour  was  so  gay  in  her 
squares,  the  rest  of  the  town  was  silent  as  the  grave. 
A  city  in  wrhich  the  hoof  of  horse  or  the  rolling  of 
wheels  is  never  heard,  necessarily  possesses  a  char 
acter  of  its  own;  but  the  peculiar  form  of  the  gov 
ernment,  and  the  long  training  of  the  people  in  habits 
of  caution,  weighed  on  the  spirits  of  the  gay.  There 
were  times  and  places,  it  is  true,  when  the  buoyancy 
of  youthful  blood,  and  the  levity  of  the  thoughtless, 
found  occasion  for  their  display;  nor  were  they 
rare ;  but  when  men  found  themselves  removed 
from  the  temptation,  and  perhaps  from  the  support 
of  society,  they  appeared  to  imbibe  the  character 
of  their  sombre  city. 

Such  was  the  state  of  most  of  the  town,  while 
the  scene  described  in  the  previous  chapter  was  ex 
hibited  in  the  lively  piazza  of  San  Marco.  The 
moon  had  risen  so  high  that  its  light  fell  between  the 
range  of  walls,  here  and  there  touching  the  surface 
of  the  water,  to  which  it  imparted  a  quivering 
brightness,  while  the  domes  and  towers  rested  be 
neath  its  light  in  a  solemn  but  grand  repose.  Occa 
sionally  the  front  of  a  palace  received  the  rays  on 
its  heavy  cornices  and  labored  columns,  the  gloomy 
stillness  of  the  interior  of  the  edifice  furnishing,  in 
every  such  instance,  a  striking  contrast  to  the  rich 
ness  and  architectural  beauty  without.  Our  narra 
tive  now  leads  us  to  one  of  these  patrician  abodes 
of  the  first  class. 

A  heavy  magnificence  pervaded  the  style  of  the 


58  THE    BRAVO. 

dwelling.  The  vestibule  was  vast,  vaulted,  and 
massive.  The  stairs,  rich  in  marbles,  heavy  and 
grand.  The  apartments  were  imposing  in  their 
gildings  and  sculpture,  while  the  walls  sustained 
countless  works  on  which  the  highest  geniuses  of  Ita- 
lv*  had  lavishly  diffused  their  power.  Among  these 
relics  of  an  age  more  happy  in  this  respect  than 
that  of  which  \ve  \vrite,  the  connoisseur  would  rea 
dily  have  known  the  pencils  of  Titian,  Paul  Vero 
nese,  and  Tintoretto — the  three  great  names  in 
which  the  subjects  of  St.  Mark  so  justly  prided 
themselves.  Among  these  works  of  the  higher 
masters  were  mingled  others  by  the  pencils  of  Bel- 
lino,  and  Montegna,  and  Palma  Vecchio — artists 
who  were  secondary  only  to  the  more  renowned 
colorists  of  the-  Venetian  school.  Vast  sheets  of 
mirrors  lined  the  walls,  wherever  the  still  more  pre 
cious  paintings  had  no  place;  while  the  ordinary 
hangings  of  velvet  and  silk  became  objects  of  sec 
ondary  admiration,  in  a  scene  of  nearly  royal  mag 
nificence.  The  cool  and  beautiful  floors,  made  of  a 
composition  in  which  all  the  prized  marbles  of  Italy 
and  of  the  East,  polished  to  the  last  degree  of  art, 
were  curiously  embedded,  formed  a  suitable  finish 
to  a  style  so  gorgeous,  and  in  which  luxury  and 
taste  were  blended  in  equal  profusion. 

The  building,  which,  on  two  of  its  sides,  literally 
rose  from  out  the  water,  was,  as  usual,  erected 
around  a  dark  court.  Following  its  different  faces, 
the  eye  might  penetrate,  by  many  a  door,  open  at 
that  hour  for  the  passage  of  the  air  from  off  the  sea, 
through  long  suites  of  rooms,  furnished  and  fitted 
in  the  manner  described,  all  lighted  by  shaded  lamps 
that  spread  a  soft  and  gentle  glow7  around.  Pass 
ing,  without  notice,  ranges  of  reception  and  sleep 
ing  rooms — the  latter  of  a  magnificence  to  mock 
the  ordinary  wants  of  the  body— we  shall  at  once 


THE    BRAVO.  59 

introduce  the  reader  into  the  part  of  the  palace 
where  the  business  of  the  tale  conducts  us. 

At  the  angle  of  the  dwelling,  on  the  side  of  the 
smaller  of  the  two  canals,  arid,  most  remote  from 
the  principal  water-avenue  of  the  city  on  which  the 
edifice  fronted,  there  was  a  suite  of  apartments, 
which,  while  it  exhibited  the  same  style  of  luxury 
and  magnificence  as  those  first  mentioned  in  its 
general  character,  discovered  greater  attention  in 
its  details  to  the  wrants  of  ordinary  life.  The  hang 
ings  were  of  the  richest  velvets  or  of  glossy  silks,  the 
mirrors  were  large  and  of  exquisite  truth,  the  floors 
of  the  same  gay  and  pleasing  colors,  and  the  wralls 
were  adorned  with  their  appropriate  works  of  art. 
But  the  whole  was  softened  down  to  a  picture  of 
domestic  comfort.  The  tapestries  and  curtains 
hung  in  careless  folds,  the  beds  admitted  of  sleep, 
and  the  pictures  were  delicate  copies  by  the  pencil 
of  some  youthful  amateur,  whose  leisure  had  been 
exercised  in  this  gentle  and  feminine  employment. 

The  fair  being  herself,  whose  early  instruction 
had  given  birth  to  so  many  skilful  imitations  of  the 
divine  expression  of  Raphael,  or  to  the  vivid  tints 
of  Titian,  was  at  that  hour  in  her  privacy,  dis 
coursing  with  her  ghostly  adviser,  and  one  of  her 
own  sex,  who  had  long  discharged  the  joint  trusts 
of  instructor  and  parent.  The  years  of  the  lady 
of  the  palace  were  so  tender  that,  in  a  more  north 
ern  region,  she  would  scarcely  have  been  deemed 
past  the  period  of  childhood,  though,  in  her  native 
land,  the  justness  and  maturity  of  her  form,  and  the 
expression  of  a  dark,  eloquent  eye,  indicated  both 
the  growth  and  the  intelligence  of  womanhood. 

"  For  this  good  counsel,  I  thank  you,  my  father ; 
and  my  excellent  Donna  Florinda  will  thank  you 
still  more,  for  your  opinions  are  so  like  her  own, 
that  I  sometimes  admire  at  the  secret  means,  by 
which  experience  enables  the  wise  and  the  good  to 


60  THE  BRAVO. 

think  so  much  alike,  on  a  matter  of  so  little  per 
sonal  interest." 

A  slight  but  furtive  smile  struggled  around  the 
mortified  mouth  of  the  Carmelite,  as  he  listened  to 
the  naive  observation  of  his  ingenuous  pupil. 

"  Thou  wilt  learn,  my  child,"  he  answered,  "  as 
time  heaps  wisdom  on  thy  head,  that  it  is  in  con 
cerns  which  touch  our  passions  and  interests  least, 
we  are  most  apt  to  decide  with  discretion  and  im 
partiality.  Though  Donna  Florinda  is  not  yet  past 
the  age  when  the  heart  is  finally  subdued,  and  there 
is  still  so  much  to  bind  her  to  the  world,  she  will 
assure  thee  of  this  truth,  or  I  greatly  mistake  the 
excellence  of  that  mind,  which  hath,  hitherto,  led 
her  so  far  blameless,  in  this  erring  pilgrimage  to 
which  we  are  all  doomed." 

Though  the  cowl  was  over  the  head  of  the 
speaker,  who  was  evidently  preparing  to  depart, 
and  his  deeply-seated  eye  never  varied  from  its 
friendly  look  at  the  fair  face  of  her  he  instructed, 
the  blood  stole  into  the  pale  cheeks  of  the  maternal 
companion,  and  her  whole  countenance  betrayed 
some  such  reflection  of  feeling  at  his  praise,  as  a 
wintry  sky  exhibits  at  a  sudden  gleam  from  the 
setting  sun. 

"  I  trust  that  Violetta  does  not  now  hear  this  for 
the  first  time,"  observed  Donna  Florinda,  in  a  voice 
so  meek  and  tremulous,  as  to  be  observed. 

"  Little  that  can  be  profitably  told  one  of  my  in 
experience  has  been  left  untaught,"  quickly  answer 
ed  the  pupil,  unconscious  herself  that  she  reached 
her  hand  towards  that  of  her  constant  monitor, 
though  too  intent  on  her  object,  to  change  her  look 
from  the  features  of  the  Carmelite.  "  But  why  this 
desire  in  the  Senate,  to  dispose  of  a  girl  who  would 
be  satisfied  to  live  for  ever,  as  she  is  now,  happy  in 
her  youth,  and  contented  with  the  privacy  which 
becomes  her  sex?" 


THE  BRAVO.  61 

"  The  relentless  years  will  not  stay  their  advance, 
that  even  one  innocent  as  thou,  may  never  know 
the  unhappiness  and  trials  of  a  more  mature  age. 
This  life  is  one  of  imperious,  and,  oftentimes,  of 
tyrannical  duties.  Thou  art  not  ignorant  of  the 
policy  that  rules  a  state,  which  hath  made  its  name 
so  illustrious  by  high  deeds  in  arms,  its  riches,  and 
its  widely-spread  influence.  There  is  a  law  in 
Venice,  which  comrnandeth  that  none  claiming  an 
interest  in  its  affairs  shall  so  bind  himself  to  the 
stranger,  as  to  endanger  the  devotion  all  owe  to  the 
republic.  Thus  may  not  the  patrician  of  St.  Mark 
be  a  lord  in  other  lands,  nor  may  the  heiress  of  a 
name,  great  and  valued  as  thine,  be  given  in  mar 
riage,  to  any  of  note,  in  a  foreign  state,  without 
counsel  and  consent  from  those  who  are  appointed 
to  watch  over  the  interests  of  all." 

"  Had  Providence  cast  my  lot  in  an  humbler  class, 
this  would  not  have  been.  Methinks  it  ill  comports 
with  the  happiness  of  woman,  to  be  the  especial 
care  of  the  Council  of  Ten !" 

"  There  is  indiscretion,  and  I  lament  to  say,  im 
piety  in  thy  words.  Our  duty  bids  us  submit  to 
earthly  laws,  and  more  than  duty,  reverence  teaches 
us  not  to  repine  at  the  will  of  Providence.  But  I 
do  not  see  the  weight  of  this  grievance,  against 
which  thou  murmurest,  daughter.  Thou  art  youth 
ful,  wealthy  beyond  the  indulgence  of  ali  healthful 
desires,  of  a  lineage  to  excite  an  unwholesome 
worldly  pride,  and  fair  enough  to  render  thee  the 
most  dangerous  of  thine  own  enemies — and  thou 
repinest  at  a  lot,  to  which  all  of  thy  sex  and  station 
are,  of  necessity,  subject ! " 

"  For  the  offence  against  Providence  I  am  alrea 
dy  a  penitent,"  returned  the  Donna  Violetta.  "  But 
surely  it  would  be  less  embarrassing  to  a  girl  of 
sixteen,  were  the  fathers  of  tne  state  so  much  occu- 

VOL.  I.  F 


62  THE  BRAVO. 

pied  with  more  \veighty  affairs,  as  to  forget  her 
birth  and  years,  and  haply  her  wealth?" 

"There  would  he  little  merit  in  being  content 
with  a  world  fashioned  after  our  own  caprices, 
though  it  may  be  questioned  if  we  should  be  hap 
pier,  by  having  all  things  as  we  desire,  than  by 
being  compelled  to  submit  to  them  as  they  are. 
The  interest  taken  by  the  republic  in  thy  particular 
welfare,  daughter,  is  the  price  thou  payest  for  the 
ease  and  magnificence  with  which  thou  art  encir 
cled.  One  more  obscure,  and  less  endowed  by  for 
tune,  might  nave  greater  freedom  of  will,  but  it 
would  be  accompanied  by  none  of  the  pomp  which 
adorns  the  dwelling  of  thy  fathers." 

"  I  would  there  were  less  of  luxury  and  more  of 
liberty  within  its  walls." 

"  Time  will  enable  thee  to  see  differently.  At 
thy  age  all  is  viewed  in  colors  of  gold,  or  life  is 
rendered  bootless,  because  we  are  thwarted  in  our 
ill-digested  wishes.  I  deny  not,  however,  that  thy 
fortune  is  tempered  by  some  peculiar  passages, 
Venice  is  ruled  by  a  policy  that  is  often  calculating, 
and  haply  some  deem  it  remorseless."  Though  the 
voice  of  the  Carmelite  had  fallen,  he  paused  and 
glanced  an  uneasy  look  from  beneath  his  cowl,  ere 
he  continued.  "  The  caution  of  the  senate  teaches 
it  to  preclude,  as  far  as  in  it  lies,  the  union  of  inter 
ests,  that  may  not  only  oppose  each  other,  but  which 
may  endanger  those  of  the  state.  Thus,  as  1  have 
said,  none  of  senatorial  rank  may  hold  lands  with 
out  the  limits  of  the  republic,  nor  may  any  of  ac 
count  connect  themselves,  by  the  ties  of  marriage, 
with  strangers  of  dangerous  influence,  without  the 
consent  and  supervision  of  the  republic.  The  latter 
is  thy  situation,  for  of  the  several  foreign  lords  who 
seek  thy  hand,  the  council  see  none  to  whom  the 
favor  may  be  extended,  without  the  apprehension 
of  creating  an  influence  here,  in  the  centre  of  the 


THE  BRAVO.  63 

canals,  which  ought  not  to  be  given  to  a  stranger, 
Don  Camillo  Montbrte,  the  cavalier  to  whom  thott 
art  indebted  for  thy  life,  and  of  whom  thou  hast  so 
lately  spoken  with  gratitude,  has  far  more  cause  to 
complain  of  these  hard  decrees,  than  thou  mayest 
have,  in  any  reason." 

"'Twould  make  my  griefs  still  heavier,  did  I 
know  that  one  who  has  shown  so  much  courage  in 
my  behalf,  has  equal  reason  to  feel  their  justice," 
returned  Violetta,  quickly.  "  What  is  the  affair  that, 
so  fortunately  for  me,  hath  brought  the  Lord  of 
Sant'  Agata  to  Venice,  if  a  grateful  girl  may,  with- 
out  indiscretion,  inquire  ?" 

"  Thy  interest  in  his  behalf  is  both  natural  and 
commendable,"  answered  the  Carmelite,  with  a  sim 
plicity  which  did  more  credit  to  his  cowl  than  to 
his  observation.  "  He  is  young,  and,  doubtless,  he 
is  tempted  by  the  gifts  of  fortune,  and  the  passions 
of  his  years,  to  divers  acts  of  weakness.  Remem 
ber  him,  daughter,  in  thy  prayers,  that  part  of  the 
debt  of  gratitude  may  be  repaid.  His  worldly  in 
terest  here  is  one  of  general  notoriety,  and  I  can 
ascribe  thy  ignorance  of  it  only  to  a  retired  man 
ner  of  life." 

"  My  charge  hath  other  matters  to  occupy  her 
thoughts  than  the  concerns  of  a  young  stranger, 
who  cometh  to  Venice  for  affairs,"  mildly  observed 
Donna  Florinda. 

"  But  if  I  am  to  remember  him  in  my  prayers, 
Father,  it  might  enlighten  my  petition  to  know  in 
what  the  young  noble  is  most  wanting." 

"  I  would  have  thee  remember  his  spiritual  neces 
sities  only.  He  wanteth,  of  a  truth,  little  in  tempo 
ralities  that  the  world  can  ofler,  though  the  desires 
of  life  often  lead  him  who  hath  most  in  quest  of 
more.  It  would  seem  that  an  ancestor  of  Don 
Camillo  was  anciently  a  senator  of  Venice,  when 
the  death  of  a  relation  brought  many  Calabrian 


64  THE  BRAVO. 

signories  into  his  possession.  The  younger  of  his 
sons,  by  an  especial  decree,  which  favored  a  family 
that  had  well  served  the  state,  took  these  estates, 
while  the  elder  transmitted  the  senatorial  rank  and 
the  Venetian  fortunes  to  his  posterity.  Time  hath 
extinguished  the  elder  branch;  and  Don  Camillo 
hath  for  years  besieged  the  council,  to  be  restored 
to  those  rights  which  his  predecessor  renounced." 

"  Can  they  refuse  him  ? " 

"His  demand  involves  a  departure  from  estab 
lished  laws.  Were  he  to  renounce  the  Calabrian 
lordships,  the  Neapolitan  might  lose  more  than  he 
would  gain ;  and  to  keep  both  is  to  infringe  a  law 
that  is  rarely  suffered  to  be  dormant.  I  know  little, 
daughter,  of  the  interests  of  life ;  but  there  are  ene 
mies  of  the  republic  who  say  that  its  servitude  is  not 
easy,  and  that  it  seldom  bestows  favors  of  this  sort, 
without  seeking  an  ample  equivalent." 

"  Is  this  as  it  should  be  ?  If  Don  Camillo  Mon- 
forte  has  claims  in  Venice,  whether  it  be  to  palaces 
on  the  canals,  or  to  lands  on  the  main ;  to  honors 
in  the  state,  or  voice  in  the  senate ;  justice  should 
be  rendered  without  delay,  lest  it  be  said  the  re 
public  vaunts  more  of  the  sacred  quality  than  it 
practises." 

"  Thou  speakest  as  a  guileless  nature  prompts. 
It  is  the  frailty  of  man,  my  daughter,  to  separate 
his  public  acts  from  the  fearful  responsibility  of  his 
private  deeds ;  as  if  God,  in  endowing  his  being 
with  reason  and  the  glorious  hopes  of  Christianity, 
had  also  endowed  him  with  two  souls,  of  which  only 
one  was  to  be  cared  for." 

""  "  Arc  there  not  those,  Father,  who  believe  that, 
while  the  evil  we  commit  as  individuals  is  visited  on 
our  own  persons,  that  which  is  done  by  states,  falls 
on  the  nation?" 

"  The  pride  of  human  reason  has  invented  divers 
subtleties  to  satisfy  its  own  longings,  but  it  can 


THE  BRAVO.  <fcj 

never  feed  itself  on  a  delusion  more  fatal  than  thisl 
The  crime  which  involves  others  in  its  guilt,  or  con 
sequences,  is  doubly  a  crime,  and  though  it  be  a 
property  of  sin  to  entail  its  own  punishment,  even 
in  our  present  life,  he  trusts  to  a  vain  hope  who 
thinks  the  magnitude  of  the  offence  will  ever  be  its 
apology.  The  chief  security  of  our  nature  is  to  re 
move  it  beyond  temptation,  and  he  is  safest  from 
the  allurements  of  the  world,  who  is  farthest  re 
moved  from  its  vices.  Though  I  would  wish  justice 
done  to  the  noble  Neapolitan,  it  may  be  for  his  ever 
lasting  peace,  that  the  additional  wealth  he  seeks 
should  be  withheld." 

"  I  am  unwilling  to  believe,  Father,  that  a  cava 
lier,  who  has  shown  himself  so  ready  to  assist  the 
distressed,  will  easily  abuse  the  gifts  of  fortune." 

The  Carmelite  fastened  an  uneasy  look  on  the 
bright  features  of  the  ycung  Venetian.  Parental 
solicitude  and  prophetic  foresight  were  in  his  glance, 
but  the  expression  was  relieved  by  the  charity  of 
a  chastened  spirit. 

"  Gratitude  to  the  preserver  of  thy  life  becomes 
thy  station  and  sex;  it  is  a  duty.  Cherish  the 
feeling,  for  it  is  akin  to  the  holy  obligation  of  man 
to  his  Creator." 

"Is  it  enough  to  feel  grateful?"  demanded  Vio- 
letta.  "  One  of  my  name  and  alliances  might  do 
more.  We  can  move  the  patricians  of  my  family, 
in  behalf  of  the  stranger,  that  his  protracted  suit 
may  come  to  a  more  speedy  end." 

"  Daughter,  beware ;  the  intercession  of  one  in 
whom  St.  Mark  feels  so  lively  an  interest,  may  raise 
up  enemies  to  Don  Camillo,  instead  of  friends." 

Donna  Violetta  was  silent,  while  the  monk  and 
Donna  Floririda  both  regarded  her  'with  affectionate 
concern.  The  former  then  adjusted  his  cowl,  and 
prepared  to  depart.  The  noble  maiden  approached 
the  Carmelite,  and  looking  into  his  face  writh  ingenu- 
F2 


66  THE    BRAVO. 

ous  confidence,  and  habitual  reverence,  she  besought 
his  blessing.  When  the  solemn  and  customary  office 
was  performed,  the  monk  turned  towards  the  com 
panion  of  his  spiritual  charge.  Donna  Florinda 
permitted  the  silk,  on  which  her  needle  had  been 
busy,  to  fall  into  her  lap,  and  she  sat  in  meek  silence, 
while  the  Carmelite  raised  his  open  palms  towards 
her  bended  head.  His  lips  moved,  but  the  words 
of  benediction  were  inaudible.  Had  the  ardent 
being,  intrusted  to  their  joint  care,  been  less  occu 
pied  with  her  own  feelings,  or  more  practised  in  the 
interests  of  that  world,  into  which  she  was  about  to 
enter,  it  is  probable  she  would  have  detected  some 
evidence  of  that  deep,  but  smothered  sympathy, 
which  so  often  betrayed  itself,  in  the  silent  intelli 
gence  of  her  ghostly  father  and  her  female  Mentor. 

"  Thou  wilt  not  forget  us,  Father  ?"  said  Violetta, 
with  winning  earnestness.  "An  orphan  girl,  in 
whose  fate  the  sages  of  the  republic  so  seriously 
busy  thetxiselves,  has  need  of  every  friend  in  whom 
she  can  confide." 

"  Blessed  be  thy  intercessor,"  said  the  monk,  "  and 
the  peace  of  the  innocent  be  wijh  thee." 

Once  more  he  waved  his  hand,  and,  turning,  he 
slowly  quitted  the  room.  The  eye  of  Donna  Florin- 
da  followed  the  white  robes  of  the  Carmelite  while 
they  were  visible ;  and  when  it  fell  again  upon  the 
silk,  it  was  for  a  moment  closed,  as  if  looking  at  the 
movements  of  the  rebuked  spirit  within.  The  young 
mistress  of  the  palace  summoned  a  menial,  and 
bade  him  do  honor  to  her  confessor,  by  seeing  him 
to  his  gondola.  She  then  moved  to  the  open  bal 
cony.  A  long  pause  succeeded:  it  was  such  a  si 
lence,  breathing,  thoughtful,  and  luxurious  with  the 
repose  of  Italy,  as  suited  the  city  and  the  hour. 
Suddenly,  Violetta  receded  from  the  open  window, 
and  withdrew  a  step,  in  alarm. 

"Is  there  a  boat  beneath?"  demanded  her  com- 


THE  BRAVO.  67 

panion,  whose  glance  was  unavoidably  attracted  to 
the  movement. 

"  The  water  was  never  more  quiet.  But  thou 
hearest  those  strains  of  the  hautboys  1 " 

"Are  they  so  rare  on  the  canals,  that  they  drive 
thee  from  the  balcony  1 " 

"  There  are  cavaliers  beneath  the  windows  of  the 
Mentoni  palace ;  doubtless,  they  compliment  our 
friend,  Olivia." 

"  Even  that  gallantry  is  common.  Thou  know- 
est  that  Olivia  is  shortly  to  be  united  to  her  kins 
man,  and  he  takes  the  usual  means  to  show  his  ad 
miration." 

"  Dost  thou  not  find  this  public  announcement  of 
a  passion  painful  ?  Were  I  to  be  wooed,  I  could  wish 
it  might  only  be  to  my  own  ear  1 " 

"That  is  an  unhappy  sentiment  for  one  whose 
hand  is  in  the  gift  of  the  senate  !  I  fear  that  a  maid 
en  of  thy  rank  must  be  content  to  hear  her  beauty 
extolled  and  her  merits  sung,  if  not  exaggerated, 
even  by  hirelings  beneath  a  balcony." 

"  I  would  that  they  were  done  !"  exclaimed  Vio- 
letta,  stopping  her  ears.  "  None  know  the  excel 
lence  of  our  friend  better  than  I ;  but  this  open  ex 
posure  of  thoughts,  that  ought  to  be  so  private,  must 
wound  her." 

"  Thou  mayest  go  again  into  the  balcony ;  the 
music  ceases." 

"  There  are  gondoliers  singing  near  the  Rialto : 
these  are  sounds  I  love  !  Sweet  in  themselves,  they 
do  no  violence  to  our  sacred  feelings.  Art  thou  for 
the  water  to-night,  my  Florinda?" 

"Whither  would'st  thou?" 

"  I  know  not — but  the  evening  is  brilliant,  and  I 
pine  to  mingle  with  the  splendor  and  pleasure  with 
out." 

"  While  thousands  on  the  canals  pine  to  mingle 
with  the  splendor  and  pleasure  within ! — Thus  is  it 


08  THE   BRAVO. 

ever  with  life :  that,  which  is  possessed  is  little  valued, 
and  that  which  we  have  not  is  without  price." 

"  I  owe  my  duty  to  my  guardian,"  said  Violetta  : 
"  we  will  row  to  his  palace." 

Though  Donna  Florinda  had  uttered  so  grave  a 
moral,  she  spoke  without  severity.  Casting  aside 
her  work,  she  prepared  to  gratify  the  desire  of  her 
charge.  It  was  the  usual  hour  for  the  high  in  rank 
and  the  secluded  to  go  abroad ;  and  neither  Venice, 
with  its  gay  throngs,  nor  Italy,  with  its  soft  climate, 
ever  offered  greater  temptation  to  seek  the  open  air. 

The  groom  of  the  chambers  was  called,  the  gon 
doliers  were  summoned,  and  the  ladies,  cloaking  and 
taking  their  masks,  were  quickly  in  the  boat. 


CHAPTER  V. 

If  your  master 

Would  have  a  queen  his  beggar,  you  must  tell  him 
That  majesty,  to  keep  decorum,  must 
No  less  beg  than  a  kingdom. 

Antony  and  Cleopatra, 

THE  silent  movement  of  the  hearse-like  gondola 
soon  brought  the  fair  Venetian  and  her  female  Men 
tor  to  the  water-gate  of  the  noble,  who  had  been 
intrusted,  by  the  senate,  with  the  especial  guardian 
ship  of  the  person  of  the  heiress.  It  was  a  resi 
dence  of  more  than  common  gloom,  possessing  all 
the  solemn  but  stately  magnificence  which  then 
characterized  the  private  dwellings  of  the  patricians 
in  that  city  of  riches  and  pricle.  Its  magnitude  and 
architecture,  though  rather  less  imposing  than  those 
which  distinguished  the  palace  of  the  Donna  Violetta. 
placed  it  among  the  private  edifices  of  the  first  or 
der,  and  all  its  external  decorations  showed  it  to  be 


THE   BRAVO.  69 

the  habitation  of  one  of  high  importance.  Within, 
the  noiseless  steps  and  the  air  of  silent  distrust 
among  the  domestics,  added  to  the  gloomy  grandeur 
of  the  apartments,  rendered  the  abode  no  bad  type 
of  the  republic  itself. 

As  neither  of  his  present  visitors  was  a  stranger 
beneath  the  roof  of  the  Signor  Gradenigo — for  so 
the  proprietor  of  the  palace  was  called — they  as 
cended  its  massive  stairs,  without  pausing  to  con 
sider  any  of  those  novelties  of  construction  that 
would  attract  the  eye  of  one  unaccustomed  to  such 
a  dwelling.  The  rank  and  the  known  consequence 
of  the  Donna  Violetta  assured  her  of  a  ready  re 
ception  ;  and  while  she  was  ushered  to  the  suite  of 
rooms  above,  by  a  crowd  of  bowing  menials,  one 
had  gone,  with  becoming  speed,  to  announce  her 
approach  to  his  master.  When  in  the  ante-cham 
ber,  however,  the  \vard  stopped,  declining  to  pp> 
ceed  any  further,  in  deference  to  the  convenience 
and  privacy  of  her  guardian.  The  delay  was 
short ;  for  no  sooner  was  the  old  senator  apprized 
of  her  presence,  than  he  hastened  from  his  closet 
to  do  her  honor,  writh  a  zeal  that  did  credit  to  his 
fitness  for  the  trust  he  filled.  The  countenance  of 
the  old  patrician — a  face  in  which  thought  and  care 
had  drawn  as  many  lines  as  time — lighted  with  un 
equivocal  satisfaction  as  he  pressed  forward  to  re 
ceive  his  beautiful  ward.  To  her  half-uttered  apolo 
gies  for  the  intrusion,  he  would  not  listen  ;  but  as  he 
led  her  within,  he  gallantly  professed  his  pleasure  at 
being  honored  with  her  visits  even  at  moments  that, 
to  her  scrupulous  delicacy,  might  appear  the  most 
ill-timed. 

"  Thou  canst  never  come  amiss,  child  as  thou  art 
of  my  ancient  Friend,  and  the  especial  care  of  the 
state ! "  he  added.  "  The  ga* es  of  the  Gradenigo 
palace  would  open  of  themselves,  at  the  latest  period 
of  the  night,  to  receive  such  a  guest.  Besides, 


70  THE   BRAVO. 

the  hour  is  most  suited  to  the  convenience  of  one  of 
thy  quality  who  would  breathe  the  fresh  evening  air 
on  the  canals.  Were  I  to  limit  thee  to  hours  and 
minutes,  some  truant  wish  of  the  moment — some 
innocent  caprice  of  thy  sex  and  years,  might  go 
ungratified. — Ah !  Donna  Florinda,  we  may  well 
pray  that  all  our  affection — not  to  call  it  weakness — 
for  this  persuasive  girl,  shall  not  in  the  end  lead  to 
her  own  disadvantage !" 

"  For  the  indulgence  of  both,  I  am  grateful,"  re 
turned  Violetta ;  "  I  only  fear  to  urge  my  little  re 
quests  at  moments  when  your  precious  time  is  more 
worthily  occupied  in  behalf  of  the  state." 

"  Thou  overratest  my  consequence.  I  sometimes 
visit  the  Council  of  Three  Hundred  ;  but  my  years 
and  infirmities  preclude  me  now  from  serving  the 
republic  as  I  could  wish. — Praise  be  to  St.  Mark, 
our  patron !  its  affairs  are  not  unprosperous  for  our 
declining  fortunes.  We  have  dealt  bravely  with  the 
infidel  of  late ;  the  treaty  with  the  Emperor  is  not 
to  our  wrong ;  and  the  anger  of  the  church,  for  the 
late  seeming  breach  of  confidence  on  our  part,  has 
been  diverted.  We  owe  something  in  the  latter  af 
fair  to  a  young  Neapolitan,  who  sojourns  here  at 
Venice,  and  who  is  not  without  interest  at  the  Holy 
See,  by  reason  of  his  uncle,  the  Cardinal  Secretary. 
Much  good  is  done  by  the  influence  of  friends, 
properly  employed.  'Tis  the  secret  of  our  success 
in  the  actual  condition  of  Venice ;  for  that  which 
power  cannot  achieve  must  be  trusted  to  favor  and 
a  wise  moderation." 

"  Your  declarations  encourage  me  to  become, 
once  more,  a  suitor ;  for  I  will  confess  that,  in  addi 
tion  to  the  desire  of  doing  you  honor,  1  have  come, 
equally  with  the  wish,  to  urge  your  great  influence, 
in  behalf  of  an  earnest  suit,  I  have." 

"  What  now !  Our  young  charge,  Donna  Florin- 
da,  has  inherited,  with  the  fortunes  of  her  family, 


THE    BRAVO.  71 

its  ancient  habits  of  patronage  and  protection !  But 
we  will  not  discourage  the  feeling,  for  it  has  a 
worthy  origin,  and,  used  with  discretion,  it  fortifies 
the  noble  and  powerful  in  their  stations." 

"  And  may  we  not  say,"  mildly  observed  Donna 
Florinda,  "  that  when  the  affluent  and  happy  employ 
themselves  with  the  cares  of  the  less  fortunate,  they 
not  only  discharge  a  duty,  but  they  cultivate  a 
wholeso;ne  and  useful  state  of  mind?" 

"  Doubt  it  not.  Nothing  can  be  more  useful  than 
to  give  to  each  class  in  society,  a  proper  sense  of 
its  obligations,  and  a  just  sentiment  of  its  duties. 
These  are  opinions  I  greatly  approve,  and  which  I 
desire  my  ward  may  thoroughly  understand*" 

"  She  is  happy  in  possessing  instructors  so  able 
and  so  willing  to  teach  all  she  should  know,"  rejoin 
ed  Violetta.  "With  this  admission,  may  I  ask  the 
Signor  Gradenigo  to  give  ear  to  my  petition  ?" 

"  Thy  little  requests  are  ever  welcome.  I  would 
merely  observe,  that  generous  and  ardent  tempera 
ments  sometimes  regard  a  distant  object  so  steadily, 
as  to  overlook  others  that  are  not  only  nearer,  and 
perhaps  of  still  more  urgent  importance,  but  more 
attainable.  In  doing  a  benefit  to  one,  we  should  be 
wary  not  to  do  injury  to  many.  The  relative  of 
some  one  of  thy  household  may  have  thoughtlessly 
enlisted  for  the  wars?" 

"  Should  it  be  so,  I  trust  the  recruit  will  have  the 
manhood  not  to  quit  his  colors." 

?  Thy  nurse,  who  is  one  little  likely  to  forget  the 
service  she  did  thy  infancy,  urges  the  claim  of  some 
kinsman,  to  an  employment  in  the  customs'?" 

"  I  believe  all  of  that  family  are  long  since  placed," 
said  Violetta  laughing,  "unless  we  might  establish 
the  good  mother  herself,  in  some  station  of  honor. 
}.  have  naught  to  ask  in  their  behalf." 

"  She  who  hath  reared  thee,  to  this  goodly  and 
healthful  beauty,  would  prefer  a  well-supported  suit, 


72  THE   BRAVO. 

but  still  is  she  better,  as  she  is,  indolent,  and,  I  feai4, 
pampered  by  thy  liberality.  Thy  private  purse  is 
drained  by  demands  on  thy  charity ; — or,  perhaps, 
the  waywardness  of  a  female  taste  hath  cost  thee 
dear,  of  late?" 

"  Neither. — I  have  little  need  of  gold,  for  one  of 
my  years  cannot  properly  maintain  the  magnificence 
of  her  condition.  I  come,  guardian,  with  a  far 
graver  solicitation  than  any  of  these." 

"  I  hope  none,  in  thy  favor,  have  been  indiscreet 
of  speech!"  exclaimed  the  Signor  Gradenigo,  cast 
ing  a  hasty  and  suspicious  look  at  his  ward. 

"  If  any  have  been  so  thoughtless,  let  them  abide 
the  punishment  of  their  fault." 

"  I  commend  thy  justice.  In  this  age  of  novel 
opinions,  innovations  of  all  descriptions  cannot  be 
too  severely  checked.  Were  the  senate  to  shut  its 
ears' to  all  the  wild  theories  that  are  uttered  by  the 
unthinking  and  vain,  their  language  would  soon  pen 
etrate  to  the  ill-regulated  minds  of  the  ignorant  and 
idle.  Ask  me,  if  thou  wilt,  for  purses  in  scores,  but 
do  not  move  me  to  forgetfulness  of  the  guilt  of  the 
disturber  of  the  public  peace!" 

"  Not  a  sequin. — My  errand  is  of  nobler  quality." 

"  Speak  without  riddle,  that  I  may  know  its  ob 
ject." 

Now  that  nothing  stood  between  her  wash  to 
speak,  and  her  own  manner  of  making  known  the 
request,  Donna  Violetta  appeared  to  shrink  from 
expressing  it.  Her  color  went  and  came,  and  she 
sought  support  from  the  eye  of  her  attentive  and 
wondering  companion.  As  the  latter  was  ignorant 
of  her  intention,  however,  she  could  do  no  more 
than  encourage  the  supplicant,  by  such  an  expres 
sion  of  sympathy  as  woman  rarely  refuses  to  her 
sex,  in  any  trial  that  involves  their  peculiar  and  dis 
tinctive  feelings.  Violetta  struggled  with  her  diffi- 


THE   BRAVO.  73 

donee,  and  then  laughing  at  her  own  want  of  self- 
possession,  she  continued — 

"  You  know,  Signor  Gradenigo,"  she  said,  with  a 
loftiness  that  was  not  less  puzzling,  though  far  more 
intelligible,  than  the  agitation  which,  a  moment  before, 
had  embarrassed  her  manner,  "that  I  am  the  last  of 
a  line,  eminent  for  centuries,  in  the  state  of  Venice." 

"  So  sayeth  our  history." 

"  That  I  bear  a  name  long  known,  and  which  it 
becomes  me  to  shield  from  all  imputation  of  dis 
credit,  in  my  own  person." 

"  This  is  so  true,  that  it  scarce  needed  so  clear 
an  exposure;"  drily  returned  the  senator. 

"  And  that,  though  thus  gifted  by  the  accidents  of 
fortune  and  birth,  I  have  received  a  boon  that  re 
mains  still  unrequited,  in  a  manner  to  do  no  honor 
to  the  house  of  Thiepolo." 

"  This  becometh  serious !  Donna  Fiorinda,  our 
ward  is  more  earnest  than  intelligible,  and  I  must 
ask  an  explanation  at  your  hands.  It  becometh  her 
not  to  receive  boons  of  this  nature  from  any." 

"  Though  unprepared  for  this  request,"  mildly  re 
plied  the  companion,  "  I  think  she  speaks  of  the  boon 
of  life." 

The  Signor  Gradenigo's  countenance  assumed  a 
dark  expression. 

"  I  understand  you,"  he  said,  coldly.  "  It  is  true 
that  the  Neapolitan  was  ready  to  rescue  thee,  when 
the  calamity  befell  thy  uncle  of  Florence,  but  Don 
Carnillo  Monforte  is  not  a  common  diver  of  the 
Lido,  to  be  rewarded  like  him  who  finds  a  bauble 
dropped  from  a  gondola.  Thou  hast  thanked  the 
cavalier;  I  trust  that  a  noble  maiden  can  do  no 
more,  in  a  case  like  this." 

"  That  I  have  thanked  him,  and  thanked  him  from 
my ^ soul,  is  true!"  fervently  exclaimed  Violetta. 
**  When  I  forget  the  service,  Maria  Santissima,  and 
the  good  saints,  forget  me  ! " 

VOL.  I.  G 


74  THE    BRAVO. 

"I  doubt,  Signora  Florinda,  that  your  charge 
hath  spent  more  hours  among  the  light  works  of 
her  late  father's  library,  and  less  time  with  her 
missal,  than  becomes  her  birth?" 

The  eye  of  Violetta  kindled,  and  she  folded  an 
arm  around  the  form  of  her  shrinking  companion, 
who  drew  down  her  veil  at  this  reproof,  though  she 
forbore  to  answer. 

"  Signor  Gradenigo,"  said  the  young  heiress,  "  I 
may  have  done  discredit  to  my  instructors,  but  if 
the  pupil  has  been  idle,  the  fault  should  not  be  visited 
on  the  innocent.  It  is  some  evidence  that  the  com 
mands  of  holy  church  have  not  been  neglected,  that 
I  now  come  to  entreat  favor  in  behalf  of  one,  to 
whom  I  owe  my  life.  Don  Camillo  Monforte  has 
long  pursued,  without  success,  a  claim  so  just,  that 
were  there  no  other  motive  to  concede  it,  the  char^ 
acter  of  Venice  should  teach  the  senators  the  dan 
ger  of  delay." 

"  My  ward  has  spent  her  leisure  with  the  doctors 
of  Padua!  The  republic  hath  its  laws,  and  none 
who  have  right  of  their  side  appeal  to  them  in  vain. 
Thy  gratitude  is  not  to  be  censured;  it  is  rather 
worthy  of  thy  origin  and  hopes ;  still,  Donna  Vio 
letta,  we  should  remember  how  difficult  it  is  to  win 
now  the  truth  from  the  chaff  of  imposition  and  legal 
subtlety,  and,  most  of  all,  should  a  judge  be  certain, 
before  he  gives  his  decree,  that,  in  confirming  the 
claims  of  one  applicant,  he  does  not  defeat  those  of 
another." 

"  They  tamper  with  his  rights !  Being  born  in  a 
foreign  realm,  he  is  required  to  renounce  more  in 
the  land  of  the  stranger,  than  he  will  gain  within 
the  limits  of  the  republic.  He  wastes  life  and 
youth  in  pursuing  a  phantom !  You  are  of  weight 
in  the  senate,  my  guardian,  and  were  you  to  lend 
him  the  support  of  your  powerful  voice  and  great 
instruction,  a  wronged  noble  would  have  justice,  and 


THE  BRAVO.  75 

Venice,  though  she  might  lose  a  trifle  from  her  stores, 
would  better  deserve  the  character  of  which  she  is 
so  jealous." 

"  Thou  art  a  persuasive  advocate,  and  I  wrill  think 
of  what  thou  urgest,"  said  the  Signer  Gradenigo, 
changing  the  frown,  which  had  been  gathering  about 
his  brow,  to  a  look  of  indulgence,  with  a  facility  that 
betrayed  much  practice  in  adapting  the  expression 
of  his  features  to -his  policy.  "I  ought  only  to 
hearken  to  the  Neapolitan,  in  my  public  character 
of  a  judge ;  but  his  service  to  thee,  and  my  weakness 
in  thy  behalf,  extorts  that  thou  would'st  have." 

Donna  Violetta  received  the  promise,  with  a  bright 
and  guileless  smile.  She  kissed  the  hand  he  extend 
ed,  as  a  pledge  of  his  faith,  with  a  fervor  that  gave 
her  attentive  guardian  serious  uneasiness. 

"  Thou  art  too  winning,  even  to  be  resisted  by  one 
wearied  with  rebutting  plausible  pretensions,"  he 
added.  "  The  young  and  the  generous,  Donna  Flo- 
rinda,  believe  all  to  be  as  their  own  wishes  and  sim 
plicity  would  have  them.  As  for  this  right  of  Don 
Camillo — but  no  matter — thou  wilt  have  it  so,  and  it 
shall  be  examined  with  that  blindness  which  is  said 
to  be  the  failing  of  justice." 

"  I  have  understood  the  metaphor  to  mean  blind 
to  favor,  but  not  insensible  to  the  right." 

"  I  fear  that  is  a  sense  which  might  defeat  our 
hopes — but  we  will  look  into  it.  My  son  has  been 
mindful  of  his  duty  and  respect  of  late,  Donna  Vio 
letta,  as  I  would  have  him  ?  The  boy  wants  little 
urging,  I  know,  to  lead  him  to  do  honor  to  my  ward, 
and  the  fairest  of  Venice.  Thou  wilt  receive  him 
with  friendship,  for  the  love  thou  bearest  his  father?" 

Donna  Violetta  curtsied,  but  it  was  with  womanly 
reserve. 

"The  door  of  my  palace  is  never  shut  on  the 
Signor  Giacomo,  on  all  proper  occasions,"  she  said, 


76  THE  BRAVO. 

coldly.  "  Signore,  the  son  of  my  guardian  could 
hardly  be  other  than  an  honored  visitor." 

"  I  would  have  the  boy  attentive — and  even  more, 
I  would  have  him  prove  some  little  of  that  great 

esteem, but  we  live  in  a  jealous  city,  Donna  Flo- 

rinda,  and  one  in  which  prudence  is  a*  virtue  of  the 
highest  price.  If  the  youth  is  less  urgent  than  I 
could  wish,  believe  me,  it  is  from  the  apprehension 
of  giving  premature  alarm  to  those  who  interest 
themselves  in  the  fortunes  of  our  charge." 

Both  the  ladies  bowed,  and  by  the  manner  in 
which  they  drew  their  cloaks  about  them,  they  made 
evident  their  wish  to  retire.  Donna  Violetta  craved 
a  blessing,  and  after  the  usual  compliments,  and  a 
short  dialogue  of  courtesy,  she  and  her  companion 
withdrew  to  their  boat. 

The  Signer  Gradenigo  paced  the  room,  in  which 
he  had  received  his  ward,  for  several  minutes  in 
silence.  Not  a  sound  of  any  sort  was  audible 
throughout  the  whole  of  the  vast  abode,  the  stillness 
and  cautious  tread  of  those  within,  answering  to 
the  quiet  town  without ;  but  a  young  man,  in  whose 
countenance  and  air  were  to  be  seen  most  of  the 
usual  signs  of  a  well-bred  profligacy,  sauntering 
along  the  suite  of  chambers,  at  length  caught  the 
eye  of  the  senator,  who  beckoned  him  to  approach. 

"  Thou  art  unhappy,  as  of  wont,  Giacomo,"  he 
said,  in  a  tone  between  paternal  indulgence  and 
reproach.  "  The  Donna  Violetta  has,  but  a  minute 
since,  departed,  and  thou  wert  absent.  Some  un 
worthy  intrigue  with  the  daughter  of  a  jeweller,  or 
some  more  injurious  bargain  of  thy  hopes,  with  the 
father,  hath  occupied  the  time  thatsmight  have  been 
..devoted  more  honorably,  and  to  far  better  profit." 
I  "  You  do  me  little  justice,"  returned  the  youth. 
"  Neither  Jew,  nor  Jewess,  hath  this  day  greeted  my 
eye." 

"  The  calendar  should  mark  the  time,  for  its  sin- 


THE   BRAVO.  77 

gukrity !  I  would  know,  Giacomo,  if  thou  turnest 
to  a  right  advantage  the  occasion  of  my  guardian 
ship,  and  if  thou  thinkest,  with  sufficient  gravity,  of 
the  importance  of  what  I  urge?" 

"  Doubt  it  not,  father.  He  who  hath  so  much  suf 
fered  for  the  want  of  that  which  the  Donna  Violetta 
possesses  in  so  great  profusion,  needeth  little  prompt 
ing  on  such  a  subject.  By  refusing  to  supply  my 
wants,  you  have  made  certain  of  my  consent.  There 
is  not  a  fool  in  Venice  who  sighs  more  loudly  be 
neath  his  mistress's  window,  than  I  utter  my  pathetic 
wishes  to  the  lady — when  there  is  opportunity,  and 
I  am  in  the  humor." 

"  Thou  knowest  the  danger  of  alarming  the 
senate?"  '  . 

"Fear  me  not.  My  progress  is  by  secret  and 
gradual  means.  Neither  my  countenance  nor  my 
mind  is  unused  to  a  mask, — thanks  to  necessity!  My 
spirits  have  been  too  buoyant  not  to  have  made  me 
acquainted  with  duplicity!" 

"  Thou  speakest,  ungrateful  boy,  as  if  I  denied  thy 
youth  the  usual  indulgences  of  thy  years  and  rank. 
It  i#thy  excesses,  and  not  thy  spirits,  I  would  check. 
But  I  would  not,  now,  harden  thee  with  reproof. 
Giacomo,  thou  hast  a  rival  in  the  stranger.  His  act 
in  the  Giudecca  has  won  upon  the  fancy  of  the  girl, 
and  like  all  of  generous  and  ardent  natures,  ignorant 
as  she  is  of  his  merits,  she  supplies  his  character 
with  all  necessary  qualities  by  her  own  ingenuity." 

"  I  would  she  did  the  same  by  me ! " 

"  With  thee,  Sirrah,  my  ward  might  be  required 
to  forget,  rather  than  invent.  Hast  thou  bethought 
thee  of  turning  the  eyes  of  the  council  on  the  dan 
ger  which  besets  their  heiress?" 

"  I  have." 

"And  the  means?" 

"  The  plainest  and  the  most  certain — the  Lion's 
mouth." 

G2 


78  THE   BRAVO. 

"  Ha ! — that,  indeed,  is  a  bold  adventure."        * 

"And,  like  all  bold  adventures,  it  is  the  more 
likely  to  succeed.  For  once  Fortune  hath  not  been 
a  niggard  with  me. — I  have  given  them  the  Neapoli 
tan's  signet  by  way  of  proof." 

"  Giacomo !  dost  thou  know  the  hazard  of  thy 
temerity  1  I  hope  there  is  no  clue  left  in  the  hand 
writing,  or  by  any  other  means  taken  to  obtain  the 
ring?" 

"  Father,  though  I  may  have  overlooked  thy  in 
struction  in  less  weighty  matters,  not  an  admonition 
which  touches  the  policy  of  Venice  hath  been  for 
gotten.  The  Neapolitan  stands  accused,  and  if  thy 
Council  is  faithful,  he  will  be  a  suspected,  if  not  a 
banished,  man." 

"  That  the  Council  of  Three  will  perform  its  trust 
is  beyond  dispute.  I  w^ould  I  were  as  certain  that 
thy  indiscreet  zeal  may  not  lead  to  some  unpleasant 
exposure!" 

The  shameless  son  stared  at  the  father  a  moment 
in  doubt,  and  then  he  passed  into  the  more  private 
parts  of  the  palace,  like  one  too  much  accustomed 
to  double-dealing,  to  lend  it  a  second,  or  a  serrous 
thought.  The  senator  remained.  His  silent  walk 
was  now  manifestly  disturbed  by  great  uneasiness ; 
and  he  frequently  passed  a  hand  across  his  brow,  as 
if  he  mused  in  pain.  While  thus  occupied,  a  figure 
stole  through  the  long  suite  of  ante-chambers,  and 
stopped  near  the  door  of  the  room  he  occupied. 
The  intruder  was  aged ;  his  face  was  tawny  by  ex 
posure,  and  his  hair  thinned  and  whitened  by  time. 
His  dress  was  that  of  a  fisherman,  being  both  scanty 
and  of  the  meanest  materials.  Still  there  was  a 
naturally  noble  and  frank  intelligence  in  his  bold  eye 
and  prominent  features,  while  the  bare  arms  and 
naked  legs  exhibited  a  muscle  and  proportion,  w^hich 
proved  that  nature  was  rather  at  a  stand  than  in  the 
decline.  He  had  been  many  moments  dangling  his 


THE   BRAVO.  79 

cap,  in  habitual  but  unembarrassed  respect,  before 
his  presence  was  observed. 

"Ha!  thou  here,  Antonio!"  exclaimed  the  sena 
tor,  when  their  eyes  met.  "  Why  this  visit  1 " 

"  Signore,  my  heart  is  heavy." 

"  Hath  the  calendar  no  saint — the  fisherman  no 
patron?  I  suppose  the  sirocco  hath  been  tossing 
the  waters  of  the  bay,  and  thy  nets  are  empty. — 
Hold!  thou  art  my  foster-brother,  and  thou  must 
not  want." 

The  fisherman  drew  back  with  dignity,  refusing 
the  gift  simply,  but  decidedly,  by  the  act/ 

"  Signore,  we  have  lived  from  childhood  to  old 
age  since  we  drew  our  milk  from  the  same  breast ; 
in  all  that  time,  have  you  ever  known  me  a  beggar?" 

"  Thou  art  not  wont  to  ask  these  boons,  Antonio, 
it  is  true ;  but  age  conquers  our  pride  with  our 
strength.  If  it  be  not  sequins  that  thou  seekest, 
what  would'st  thou?" 

"  There  are  other  wants  than  those  of  the  body, 
Signore,  and  other  sufferings  beside  hunger." 

The  countenance  of  the  senator  lowered.  He 
castfi  sharp  glance  at  his  foster-brother,  and  ere  he 
answered  he  closed  the  door  which  communicated 
with  the  outer  chamber. 

"Thy  words  forebode  disaffection,  as  of  wont. 
Thou  art  accustomed  to  comment  on  measures  and 
interests  that  are  beyond  thy  limited  reason,  and 
thou  knowest  that  thy  opinions  have  already  drawn 
displeasure  on  thee.  The  ignorant  and  the  low  are, 
to  the  state,  as  children,  whose  duty  it  is  to  obey, 
and  not  to  cavil. — Thy  errand  ?" 

"  I  am  not  the  man  you  think  me,  Signore.  I  am 
used  to  poverty  and  want,  and  little  satisfies  my 
wishes.  The  senate  is  my  master,  and  as  such  I 
honor  it ;  but  a  fisherman  hath  his  feelings  as  well 
as  the  doge  ! " 

"  Again  ! — These  feelings  of  thine,  Antonio,  are 


80  THE   BRAVO. 

most  exacting.  Thou  namest  them  on  all  occasions, 
as  if  they  were  the  engrossing  concerns  of  life." 

"  Signore,  are  they  not  to  me  ?  Though  I  think 
mostly  of  my  own  concerns,  still  I  can  have  a 
thought  for  the  distress  of  those  I  honor.  When 
the  beautiful  and  youthful  lady,  your  eccellenza's 
daughter,  was  called  away  to  the  company  of  the 
saints,  I  felt  the  blow  as  if  it  had  been  the  death  of 
my  own  child ;  and  it  has  pleased  God,  as  you  very 
well  know,  Signore,  not  to  leave  me  unacquainted 
with  the  anguish  of  such  a  loss." 

"  Thou  art  a  good  fellow,  Antonio,"  returned  the 
senator,  covertly  removing  the  moisture  from  his 
eyes ;  "  an  honest  and  a  proud  man,  for  thy  con 
dition!" 

"  She,  from  whom  we  both  drew  our  first  nour 
ishment,  Signore,  often  told  me  that,  next  to  my 
own  kin,  it  was  my  duty  to  love  the  noble  race  she 
had  helped  to  support.  I  make  no  merit  of  natural 
feeling,  which  is  a  gift  from  Heaven,  and  the  greater 
is  the  reason  that  the  state  should  not  deal  lightly 
with  such  affections." 

"  Once  more  the  state ! — Name  thy  errand."* 

"  Your  eccellenza  knows  the  history  of  my  hum 
ble  life.  I  need  not  tell  you,  Signore,  of,  the  sons 
wrhich  God,  by  the  intercession  of  the  Virgin  and 
blessed  St.  Anthony,  was  pleased  to  bestow  on  me, 
or  of  the  manner  in  which  he  hath  seen  proper  to 
take  them,  one  by  one,  away." 

"  Thou  hast  known  sorrow,  poor  Antonio ;  I  well 
remember  thou  hast  suffered,  too." 

"  Signore,  I  have.  The  deaths  of  five  manly  and 
honest  sons  is  a  blow  to  bring  a  groan  from  a  rock. 
But  I  have  known  how  to  bless  God,  and  be 
thankful!" 

"  Worthy  fisherman,  the  doge  himself  might  envy 
this  resignation.  It  is  often  easier  to  endure  the 
loss  than  the  life  of  a  child,  Antonio ! " 


THE  BRAVO.  81 

'•  Signore,  no  boy  of  mine  ever  caused  me  grief, 
but  the  hour  in  which  he  died.  And  even  then,"  the 
old  man  turned  aside,  to  conceal  the  working  of  his 
features — "I  struggled  to  remember,  from  how  much 
pain,  and  toil,  and  suffering  they  were  removed,  to 
enjoy  a  more  blessed  state." 

The  lip  of  the  Signor  Gradenigo  quivered,  and 
he  moved  to  and  fro  with  a  quicker  step. 

"  I  think,  Antonio,"  he  said,  "  I  think,  honest  An 
tonio,  I  had  masses  said  for  the  souls  of  them  all  ? " 

"  Signore,  you  had ;  St.  Anthony  remember  the 
kindness  in  your  own  extremity !  I  was  wrong  in 
saying  that  the  youths  never  gave  me  sorrow  but  in 
dying,  for  there  is  a  pain  the  rich  cannot  know,  in 
being  too  poor  to  buy  a  prayer  for  a  dead  child ! " 

"Wilt  thou  have  more  masses?  Son  of  thine 
shall  never  want  a  voice  with  the.  saints,  for  the 
ease  of  his  soul!" 

"  I  thank  you,  eccellenza,  but  I  have  faith  in  what 
has  been  done,  and,  more  than  all,  in  the  mercy  of 
God.  My  errand  now  is  in  behalf  of  the  living." 

The  sympathy  of  the  senator  was  suddenly  check 
ed,  and  he  already  listened  with  a  doubting  and 
suspicious  air. 

"  Thy  errand?"  he  simply  repeated. 

"  Is  to  beg  your  interest,  Signore,  to  obtain  the 
release  of  my  grandson  from  the  galleys.  They 
have  seized  the  lad  in  his  fourteenth  year,  and  con 
demned  him  to  the  wars  with  the  Infidels,  without 
thought  of  his  tender  years,  without  thought  of  evil 
example,  without  thought  of  my  age  and  loneliness, 
and  without  justice ;  for  his  father  died  in  the  last 
battle  given  to  the  Turk." 

As  he  ceased,  the  fisherman  riveted  his  look  on 
the  marble  countenance  of  his  auditor,  wistfully  en 
deavoring  to  trace  the  effect  of  his  words.  But  all 
there  was  cold,  unanswering,  and  void  of  human 
sympathy.  The  soulless,  practised,  and  specious 


82  TIIE    BRAVO. 

reasoning  of  the  state,  had  long  since  deadened  all 
feeling  in  the  senator,  on  any  subject  that  touched  an 
interest  so  vital  as  the  maritime  power  of  the  re 
public.  He  saw  the  hazard  of  innovation  in  the 
slightest  approach  to  interests  so  delicate,  and  his 
mind  was  drilled  by  policy  into  an  apathy  that  no 
charity  could  disturb,  when  there  .was  question  of 
the  right  of  St.  Mark  to  the  services  of  his  people. 

"  I  would  thou  hadst  come  to  beg  masses,  or 
gold,  or  aught  but  this,  Antonio!"  he  answered, 
after  a  moment  of  delay.  "  Thou  hast  had  the 
company  of  the  boy,  if  I  remember,  from  his  birth, 
already?" 

"  Signore,  I  have  had  that  satisfaction,  for  he  was 
an  orphan  born ;  and  I  would  wish  to  have  it  until 
the  child  is  fit  to  go  into  the  world,  armed  with  an 
honesty  and  faith  that  shall  keep  him  from  harm. 
Were  my  own  brave  son  here,  he  would  ask  no 
other  fortune  for  the  lad,  than  such  counsel  and  aid 
as  a  poor  man  has  a  right  to  bestow  on  his  own 
flesh  and  blood." 

"  He  fareth  no  worse  than  others ;  and  thou 
knowest  that  the  republic  hath  need  of  every  arm." 

"Eccellenza,  I  saw  the  Signor  Giacomo  land 
from  his  gondola,  as  I  entered  the  palace." 

"  Out  upon  thee,  fellow !  dost  thou  make  no  dis 
tinction  between  the  son  of  a  fisherman,  one  trained 
to  the  oar  and  toil,  and  the  heir  of  an  ancient  house? 
Go  to,  presuming  man,  and  remember  thy  condi 
tion,  and  the  difference  that  God  hath  made  between 
our  children." 

"Mine  never  gave  me  sorrow  but  the  hour  in 
which  they  died,"  said  the  fisherman,  uttering  a 
severe  but  mild  reproof. 

The  Signor  Gradenigo  felt  the  sting  of  this  retort, 
which  in  no  degree  aided  the  cause  of  his  indiscreet 
foster-brother.  After  pacing  the  room  in  agitation 


THE   BRAVO.          ^  83 

for  some  time,  he  so  far  conquered  his  resentment, 
as  to  answer  more  mildly,  as  became  his  rank. 

"  Antonio,"  he  said,  "  thy  disposition  and  boldness 
are  not  strangers  to  me — If  thou  would'st  have 
masses  for  the  dead,  or  gold  for  the  living,  they  are 
thine ;  but  in  asking  for  my  interest  with  the  general 
of  the  galleys,  thou  askest  that  which,  at  a  moment 
so  critical,  could  not  be  yielded  to  the  son  of  the 
doge,  were  the  doge — " 

"A  fisherman,"  continued  Antonio,  observing 
that  he  hesitated — "Signore,  adieu;  I  would  not 
part  in  anger  with  my  foster-brother,  and  I  pray  the 
saints  to  bless  you  and  your  house.  May  you  never 
know  the  grief  of  losing  a  child  by  a  fate  far  worse 
than  death — that  of  destruction  by  vice." 

As  Antonio  ceased,  he  made  his  reverence  and 
departed  by  the  way  he  had  entered.  He  retired 
unnoticed,  for  the  senator  averted  his  eyes,  with  a 
secret  consciousness  of  the  force  of  what  the  other, 
in  his  simplicity,  had  uttered ;  and  it  was  some  time 
before  the  latter  knew  he  was  alone.  Another  step, 
however,  soon  diverted  his  attention.  The  door  re 
opened,  and  a  menial  appeared.  He  announced 
that  one  without  sought  a  private  audience. 

"  Let  him  enter,"  answered  the  ready  senator, 
smoothing  his  features  to  the  customary  cautious 
and  distrustful  expression. 

The  servant  withdrew,  when  one  masked,  and 
wearing  a  cloak,  quickly  entered  the  room.  When 
the  latter  instrument  of  disguise  was  thrown  upon 
an  arm,  and  the  visor  was  removed,  the  form  and 
face  of  the  dreaded  Jacopo  became  visible. 


84  THE   BRAVO. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Csesar  himself  has  work,  and  our  oppression 
Exceeds  what  we  expected. 

SHAKSPEARE. 

" DIDST  thou  note  him  that  left  me?"  eagerly  de 
manded  the  Signer  Gradenigo. 

"I  did." 

"  Enough  so  to  recognize  form  and  countenance?" 

"  'Twas  a  fisherman  of  the  Lagunes,  named 
Antonkx" 

The  senator  dropped  the  extended  limb,  and  re 
garded  the  Bravo,  with  a  look,  in  which  surprise 
and  admiration  were  equally  blended.  He  resumed 
his  course  up  and  down  the  room,  while  his  com 
panion  stood  waiting  his  pleasure,  in  an  attitude  so 
calm  as  to  be  dignified.  A  few  minutes  were 
wasted  in  this  abstraction. 

"  Thou  art  quick  of  sight,  Jacopo ! "  continued  the 
patrician,  breaking  the  pause — "  Hast  thou  had  deal 
ings  with  the  man  ? " 

"  Never." 

"  Thou  art  certain  it  is — " 

"  Your  eccellenza's  foster-brother." 

"  I  did  not  inquire  into  thy  knowledge  of  his  in 
fancy  and  origin,  but  of  his  present  state ;"  returned 
the  Signor  Gradenigo,  turning  away  to  conceal  his 
countenance  from  the  glowing  eye  of  Jacopo — "  Has 
he  been  named  to  thee  by  any  in  authority?" 

"  He  has  not — my  mission  does  not  lie  with  fish 
ermen." 

"Duty  may  lead  us  into  still  humbler  society, 
young  man.  They  who  are  charged  with  the 
grievous  burthen  of  the  state,  must  not  consider  the 
quality  of  the  load  they  carry.  In  what  manner 
hath  this  Antonio  come  to  thy  knowledge?" 


BRAVO.  85 

"  I  have  known  him  as  one  esteemed  by  his  fel 
lows — a  man  skilful  in  his  craft,  and  long  practised 
in  the  mystery  of  the  Lagunes." 

"  He  is  a  defrauder  of  the  revenue,  thou  would'st 
be  understood  to  say?" 

"  I  would  not  He  toils  too  late  and  early  to  have 
other  means  of  support  than  labor." 

'•'  Thou  knowest,  Jacopo,  the  severity  of  our  laws 
in  matters  that  concern  the  public  moneys  ? " 

"  I  know  that  the  judgment  of  St.  Mark,  Signore, 
is  never  light  when  its  own  interest  is  touched." 

"  Thou  art  not  required  to  utter  opinions  beyond 
the  present  question.  This  man  hath  a  habit  of 
courting  the  good-will  of  his  associates,  and  of 
making  his  voice  heard  concerning  affairs  of  which 
none  but  his  superiors  may  discreetly  judge." 

"  Signore,  he  is  old,  and  the  tongue  grows  loose 
with  years." 

*'  This  is  not  the  character  of  Antonio.  Nature 
hath  not  treated  him  unkindly;  had  his  birth  and 
education  been  equal  to  his  mind,  the  senate  might 
have  been  glad  to  listen — as  it  is,  I  fear  he  speaks  in 
a  sense  to  endanger  his  own  interests." 

"Surely,  if  he  speaks  to  offend  the  ear  of  St 
Mark." 

There  wras  a  quick  suspicious  glance  from  the 
{»enator  to  the  Bravo,  as  if  to  read  the  true  meaning 
of  the  latter's  words.  Finding,  however,  the  same 
expression  of  self-possession  in  the  quiet  features  he 
scrutinized,  the  latter  continued  as  if  distrust  had 
not  been  awakened. 

"  If,  as  thou  sayest,  he  so  speaks  as  to  injure  the 
republic,  his  years  have  not  brought  discretion.  I 
Jove  the  man,  Jacopo,  for  it  is  usual  to  regard,  with 
some  partiality,  those  who  have  drawn  nourishment 
from  the  same  breast  with  ourselves." 

"  Signore,  it  is." 

44  And  feeling  this  weakness,  in  his  favor,  I  would 

VOL.  I,  H 


86  THE   BRAVO. 

have  him  admonished  to  be  prudent.  Thou  art 
acquainted,  doubtless,  with  his  opinions  concerning 
the  recent  necessity  of  the  state,  to  command  the 
services  of  all  the  youths  on  the  Lagunes  in  her 
fleets?" 

"  I  know  that  the  press  has  taken  from  him  the 
boy  who  toiled  in  his  company." 

"  To  toil  honorably,  and  perhaps  gainfully,  in 
behalf  of  the  republic  !" 

"  Signore,  perhaps !" 

"  Thou  art  brief  in  thy  speech  to-night,  Jacopo  ! 
— But  if  thou  knowest  the  fisherman,  give  him  coun 
sel  of  discretion.  St.  Mark  will  not  tolerate  such 
free  opinions  of  his  wisdom.  This  is  the  third  occa 
sion  in  which  there  has  been  need  to  repress  that 
fisherman's  speech ;  for  the  paternal  care  of  the 
senate  cannot  see  discontent  planted  i  the  bosom 
of  a  class,  it  is  their  duty  and  pleasure  to  render 
happy.  Seek  opportunities  to  let  him  hear  this 
wholesome  truth,  for  in  good  sooth,  I  would  not 
willingly  see  a  misfortune  light  upon  the  head  of  a 
son  of  my  ancient  nurse,  and  that,  too,  in  the  decline 
of  his  days." 

The  Bravo  bent  his  body  in  acquiescence,  while 
the  Signor  Gradenigo  paced  the  room,  in  a  manner 
to  show  that  he  really  felt  concern. 

"  Thou  hast,  had  advice  of  the  judgment,  in  the 
matter  of  the  Genoese?"  resumed  the  latter,  when 
another  pause  had  given  time  to  change  the  current 
of  his  thoughts.  "  The  sentence  of  the  tribunals  has 
been  prompt,  and,  though  there  is  much  assumption 
of  a  dislike  between  the  two  republics,  the  world 
can  now  see  how  sternly  justice  is  consulted  on  our 
isles.  I  hear  the  Genoese  will  have  ample  amends, 
and  that  certain  of  our  own  citizens  will  be  mulcted 
of  much  money." 

"  i  have  heard  the  same  since  the  sun  set,  in  th« 
Piazzetta,  Signore!" 


THE    BRAVO.  87 

"  And  do  men  converse  of  our  impartiality,  and 
more  than  all  of  our  promptitude?  Bethink  thee, 
Jacopo,  'tis  but  a  se'nnight  since  the  claim  was  pre 
ferred  to  the  senate's  equity  ! " 

"None  dispute  the  promptitude  with  which  the 
republic  visits  offences." 

"  Nor  the  justice,  I  trust  also,  good  Jacopo.  There 
is  a  beauty  and  a  harmony  in  the  manner  in  which 
the  social  machine  rolls  on  its  course,  under  such  a 
system,  that  should  secure  men's  applause !  Justice 
administers  to  the  wants  of  society,  and  checks  the 
passions  with  a  force  as  silent  and  dignified,  as  if 
her  decrees  came  from  a  higher  volition.  I  often 
compare  the  quiet  march  of  the  state,  contrasted 
with  the  troubled  movements  of  some  other  of  our 
Italian  sisters,  to  the  difference  between  the  clatter 
of  a  clamc  ms  town,  and  the  stillness  of  our  own 
noiseless  canals.  Then  the  uprightness  of  the  late 
decree  is  in  the  mouths  of  the  masquers  to-night  ?" 

"  Signore,  the  Venetians  are  bold  when  there  is 
an  opportunity  to  praise  their  masters." 

"  Dost  thou  think  thus,  Jacopo  ?  To  m&  they 
have  ever  seemed  more  prone  to  vent  their  seditious 
discontent.  But  'tis  the  nature  of  man  to  be  nig 
gardly  of  praise  and  lavish  of  censure.  This  decree 
of  the  tribunal  must  not  be  suffered  to  die,  witii  the 
mere  justice  of  the  case.  Our  friends  should  dwell 
on  it,  openly,  in  the  cafes,  and  at  the  Lido.  They 
will  have  no  cause  to  fear,  should  they  give  their 
tongues  a  little  latitude.  A  just  government  hath  no 
jealousy  of  comment." 

"  True,  Signore." 

'*  I  look  to  thee  and  thy  fellows  to  see  that  the 
affair  be  not  too  quickly  forgotten.  The  contempla 
tion  of  acts,  such  as  this,  will  quicken  ,Jtbe  do  <7nant 
seeds  of  virtue  in  the  public  mind.  He  who  has  ex 
amples  of  equity  incessantly  before  his  eyes,  will 


88  THE    BRAVO. 

come  at  last  to  love  the  quality.  The  Genoese,  I 
trust,  will  depart  satisfied?" 

"  Doubt  it  not,  Signore  ;  he  has  all  that  can  con 
tent  a  sufferer ;  his  own  with  usury,  and  revenge  of" 
him  who  did  the  wrong." 

"  Such  is  the  decree — ample  restoration  and  the 
chastening  hand  of  punishment.  Few  states  would 
thus  render  a  judgment  against  itself,  Jacopo  !" 

"  Is  the  state  answerable  for  the  deed  of  the  mer 
chant,  Signore?" 

"  Through  its  citizen.  He  who  inflicts  punishment 
on  his  own  members,  is  a  sufferer,  surely.  No  one 
can  part  with  his  own  flesh  without  pain ;  is  not  this 
true,  fellow  ?" 

"  There  are  nerves  that  are  delicate  to  the  touch, 
Signore,  and  an  eye  or  a  tooth  is  precious ;  but  the 
paring  of  a  nail,  or  the  fall  of  the  beard,  is  little 
heeded." 

"  One  who  did  not  know  thee,  Jacopo,  would 
imagine  thee  in  the  interest  of  the  emperor !  The 
sparrow  does  not  fall  in  Venice,  without  the  loss 
touching  the  parental  feelings  of  the  senate.  Well, 
is  there  further  rumor  among  the  Jews,  of  a  de 
crease  of  gold  ?  Sequins  are  not  so  abundant  as  of 
wont,  and  the  chicanery  of  that  race  lends  itself 
to  the  scarcity,  in  the  hope  of  larger  profits." 

"  I  have  seen  faces  on  the  Rialto,  of  late,  Signore* 
that  look  empty  purses.  The  Christian  seems  anx 
ious,  and  in  want,  while  the  unbelievers  wear  their 
gaberdines  with  a  looser  air  than  is  usual." 

"  This  hath  been  expected.  Doth  report  openly 
name  any  of  the  Israelites  who  are  in  the  custom  of 
lending,  on  usury,  to  the  young  nobles?" 

"  All,  who  have  to  lend,  may  be  accounted  of  the 
class ;.  the  nhole  synagogue,  rabbis,  and  all,  are 
of  a  mind,  when  there  is  question  of  a  Christian's 
purse." 

"  Thou  likest  not  the  Hebrew,  Jacopo ;  but  he  is 


THE   BRAVO.  89 

of  good  service  in  the  republic's  straits.  We  count 
all  friends,  who  are  ready  with  their  •  gold  at  need. 
Still  the  young  hopes  of  Venice  must  not  be  left  to 
waste  their  substance  in  unwary  bargains  with  the 
gainful  race,  and  should'st  thou  hear  of  any  of  mark, 
who  are  thought  to  be  too  deeply  in  their  clutches, 
^hou  wilt  do  wisely  to  let  the  same  be  known,  with 
little  delay,  to  the  guardians  of  the  public  weal.  We 
must  deal  tenderly  W7ith  those  who  prop  the  state, 
but  we  must  also  deal  discreetly  with  those  who  will 
shortly  compose  it.  Hast  thou  aught  to  say  in  the 
matter?" 

"  I  have  heard  men  speak  of  Signor  Giacomo  as 
paying  dearest  for  their  favors." 

"  Gesu  Maria  !  my  son  and  heir !  Dost  thou  not 
deceive  me,  man,  to  gratify  thine  own  displeasure 
against  the  Hebrews?" 

"  I  have  no  other  malice  against  the  race,  Sig- 
nore,  than  the  wholesome  disrelish  of  a  Christian. 
Thus  much  I  hope  may  be  permitted  to  a  believer, 
but  beyond  that,  in  reason,  1  carry  hatred  to  no  man. 
It  is  well  known  that  your  heir  is  disposing  freely 
of  his  hopes,  and  at  prices  that  lower  expectations 
might  command." 

"  This  is  a  weighty  concern !  The  boy  must  be 
speedily  admonished  of  the  consequences,  and  care 
must  be  had  for  his  future  discretion.  The  Hebrew 
shall  be  punished,  and  as  a  so'emn  warning  to  the 
whole  tribe,  the  debt  confiscalea  to  the  benefit  of  the 
borrower.  With  such  an  example  before  their  eyes, 
the  knaves  will  be  less  ready  with  their  sequins. 
Holy.  St.  Theodore!  'twere  self-destruction  to  suffer 
one  of  such  promise  to  be  lost  for  the  want  of  pru 
dent  forethought.  I  will  charge  myself  with  the 
matter,  as  an  especial  duty,  and  the  senate  shall 
have  no  cause  to  say  that  its  interests  have  been 
neglected.  Hast  thou  had  applications  of  late,  in 
thy  character  of  avenger  of  private  wrongs  ? " 
112 


90  THE   BKAVO. 

"  None  of  note — there  is  one  that  seeks  me  earn 
estly,  though  I  am  not  yet  wholly  the  master  of  his 
wishes." 

"  Thy  office  is  of  much  delicacy  and  trust,  and, 
as  thou  art  well  assured,  the  reward  is  weighty  and 
sure."  The  eyes  of  the  Bravo  kindled  with  an  ex 
pression  which  caused  his  companion  to  pause.  But 
observing  that  the  repose,  for  which  the  features  of 
Jacopo  were  so  remarkable,  again  presided  over  his 
pallid  face,  he  continued,  as  if  there  had  been  no 
interruption ;  "  I  repeat,  the  bounty  and  clemency 
of  the  state  will  not  be  forgotten.  If  its  justice  is 
stern  and  infallible,  its  forgiveness  is  cordial,  and  its 
favors  ample.  Of  these  facts  I  have  taken  much 
pains  to  assure  thee,  Jacopo. — Blessed  St.  Mark ! 
that  one  of  the  scions  of  thy  great  stock  should 
waste  his  substance  for  the  benefit  of  a  race  of  un 
believers  !  But  thou  hast  not  named  him  who  seeks 
thee,  with  this  earnestness?" 

"  As  I  have  yet  to  learn  his  errand,  before  I  go 
further,  Signore,  it  may  be  well  to  know  more  of 
his  wishes." 

"  This  reserve  is  uncalled  for.  Thou  art  not  to 
distrust  the  prudence  of  the  republic's  ministers,  and 
I  should  be  sorry  were  the  Inquisitors  to  get  an  un 
favorable  opinion  of  thy  zeal.  The  individual  must 
be  denounced." 

"  I  denounce  him  not.  The  most  that  I  can  say 
is,  that  he  hath  a  desire  to  deal  privately  with  one, 
with  whom  it  is  almost  criminal  to  deal  at  all." 

"  The  prevention  of  crime  is  better  than  its  pun 
ishment,  and  such  is  the  true  object  of  all  govern 
ment.  Thou  wilt  not  withhold  the  name  of  thy  cor 
respondent  ?" 

"  It  is  a  noble  Neapolitan,  who  hath  long  sojourn 
ed  in  Venice,  on  matters  touching  a  great  succes 
sion,  and  some  right,  even,  to  the  senate's  dignity." 


THE  BRAVO.  91 

"  Ha  !  Don  Camillo  Monforte !  Am  I  right,  sir 
rah?" 

"  Signore,  the  same !" 

The  pause  which  followed  was  only  brol;  tm  by 
the  clock  of  the  great  square  striking  eleven.,  or  the 
fourth  hour  of  the  night,  as  it  is  termed,  by  the  usage 
of  Italy.  The  senator  started,  consulted  a  time 
piece  in  his  own  apartment,  and  again  addressed  his 
companion. 

"  This  is  w7ell,"  he  said ;  "  thy  faith  and  punctuali 
ty  shall  be  remembered.  Look  to  the  fisherman, 
Antonio ;  the  murmurs  of  the  old  man  must  pot  be 
permitted  to  awaken  discontent,  for  a  cau^s  so 
trifling,  as  this  transfer  of  his  descendant  fro»Ti  a 
gondola  to  a  galley ;  and  most  of  all,  keep  thy  ears 
attentive  to  any  rumors  on  the  Rialto.  The  glory- 
and  credit  of  a  patrician  name  must  not  be  weaken 
ed  by  the  errors  of  boyhood.  As  to  thi£  stranger — 
quickly,  thy  mask  and  cloak — depart  as  if  thou  wert 
merely  a  friend  bent  on  some  of  the  idle  pleasantries 
of  the  hour." 

The  Bravo  resumed  his  disguise  with  the  readi 
ness  of  one  long  practised  in  its  use,  but  with  a 
composure  that  was  not  so  easily  disconcerted  as 
that  of  the  more  sensitive  senator.  The  latter  did 
not  speak  again,  though  he  hurried  Jacopo  from  his 
presence,  by  an  impatient  movement  of  the  hand. 

When  the  door  was  closed  and  the  Signor  Gra- 
denigo  was  again  alone,  he  once  more  consulted  the 
time-piece,  passed  his  hand  slowly  and  thoughtfully 
across  his  brow,  and  resumed  his  walk.  For  near 
ly  an  hour  this  exercise,  or  nervous  sympathy  of 
the  body  with  a  mind  that  was  possibly  overwork 
ed,  continued  without  any  interruption  from  with 
out.  Then  came  a  gentle  tap  at  the  door,  and  at 
the  usual  bidding,  one  entered,  closely  masked,  like 
him  who  had  departed,  as  was  so  much  the  usage 
of  that  city,  in  the  age  of  which  we  write.  A 


92  THE   BRAVO. 

glance  at  the  figure  of  his  guest  seemed  to  apprize 
the  senator  of  his  character,  for  the  reception,  while 
it  wa*3  distinguished  by  the  quaint  courtesy  of  the 
age,  was  that  of  one  expected. 

"  I  urn  honored  in  the  visit  of  Don  Camillo  Mon- 
forte,"  said  the  host,  while  the  individual  named  laid 
aside  his '  cloak  and  silken  visor ;  "  though  the  late 
ness  of  the  hour  had  given  me  reason  to  apprehend 
that  some  casualty  had  interfered  between  me  and 
die  pleasure." 

"  A.  thousand  excuses,  noble  senator,  but  the  cool 
ness  pf  the  canals,  and  the  gaiety  of  the  square,  to 
gether  with  some  apprehension  of  intruding  prema 
turely  on  time  so  precious,  has,  I  fear,  kept  me  out 
of  season.  But  I  trust  to  the  known  goodness  of 
vhe  Signor  Gradenigo  for  my  apology." 

"  The  punctuality  of  the  great  lords  of  Lower 
Italy  is  not  their  greatest  merit,"  the  Signor  Grade 
nigo  drily  answered.  "  The  young  esteem  life  so 
endless,  that  they  take  little  heed  of  the  minutes  that 
escape  them ;  while  we.  whom  age  begins  to  men 
ace,  think  chiefly  of  repairing  the  omissions  of  youth. 
In  this  manner,  Signor  Duca,  does  man  sin  and  re 
pent  daily,  until  the  opportunities  of  doing  either  are 
imperceptibly  lost.  But  we  will  not  be  more  prodigal 
of  the  moments  than  there  is  need — are  we  to  hope 
for  Cotter  views  in  the  Spaniard  7" 

"  I  have  neglected  little  that  can  move  the  mind 
of  a  reasonable  man,  and  I  have,  in  particular,  laid 
before  him  the  advantage  of  conciliating  the  sen 
ate's  esteem.1' 

"  Therein  have  you  done  wisely,  Signore,  both  as 
respects  his  interests  and  your  own.  The  senate 
is  a  liberal  paymaster  to  him  who  serves  it  well, 
and  a  fearful  enemy  to  those  who  do  harm  to  the 
state.  I  hope  the  matter  of  the  succession  draws 
near  a  conclusion?" 

"  I  wish  it  were  possible  to  say  it  did.     I  urge  the 


THE   BRAVO.  93 

tribunal  in  all  proper  assiduity,  omitting  no  duty  of 
personal  respect,  nor  of  private  solicitation.  Padua 
has  not  a  doctor  more  learned  than  he  who  presents 
my  right  to  their  wisdom,  and  yet  the  affair  lingers 
like  life  in  the  hectic.  If  I  have  not  shown  myself 
a  worthy  son  of  St.  Mark,  in  this  affair  with  the 
Spaniard,  it  is  more  from  the  want  of  a  habit  of 
managing  political  interests,  than  from  any  want 
of  zeal." 

"  The  scales  of  justice  must  be  nicely  balanced 
to  hang  so  long,  without  determining  to  one  side  or 
the  other !  You  will  have  need  of  further  assiduity, 
Don  Camillo,  and  of  great  discretion  in  disposing 
the  minds  of  the  patricians  in  your  favor.  It  will 
be  well  to  make  your  attachment  to  the  state  be  ob 
served,  by  further  service  near  the  ambassador. 
You  are  'known  to  have  his  esteem,  and  counsel 
coming  from  such  a  quarter  will  enter  deeply  into 
his  mind.  It  should  also  quicken  the  exertions  of  so 
benevolent  and  generous  a  young  spirit,  to  know 
that  in  serving  his  country,  he  also  aids  the  cause 
of  humanity." 

Don  Camillo  did  not  appear  to  be  strongly  im 
pressed  with  the  justice  of  the  latter  remark.  He 
bowed,  however,  in  courtesy  to  his  companion's 
opinion. 

"It  is  pleasant,  Signore,  to  be  thus  persuaded,** 
he  answered ;  "  my  kinsman  of  Castile  is  a  man  to 
hear  reason,  let  it  come  from  what  quarter  it  may. 
Though  he  meets  my  arguments  with  some  allusions 
to  the  declining  power  of  the  republic,  I  do  not  see 
less  of  deep  respect  for  the  influence  of  a  state, 
that  hath  long  made  itself  remarkable  by  its  energy 
and  will." 

"  Venice  is  no  longer  what  the  city  of  the  Isles 
hath  been,  Signor  Duca ;  still  is  she  not  powerless. 
The  wings  of  our  lion  are  a  little  clipped,  but  his 
leap  is  still  far,  and  his  teeth  dangerous.  If  the 


04  THE  BRAVO. 

new-made  prince  would  have  his  ducal  coronet  sit 
easily  on  his  brow,  he  would  do  well  to  secure  the 
esteem  of  his  nearest  neighbors." 

"  This  is  obviously  true,  and  little  that  my  influ 
ence  can  do  toward  effecting  the  object,  shall  be 
wanting.  And  now,  may  I  entreat  of  your  friend 
ship,  advice  as  to  the  manner  of  further  urging  my 
own  long-neglected  claims'?" 

"  You  will  do  well,  Don  Camillo,  to  remind  the 
senators  of  your  presence,  by  frequent  observance 
of  the  courtesies  due  to  their  rank  and  yours." 

"  This  do  I  never  neglect,  as  seemly  both  in  my 
station  and  my  object." 

"  The  judges  should  not  be  forgotten,  young  man, 
for  it  is  wise  to  remember  that  justice  hath  ever  an 
ear  for  solicitation." 

"None  can  be  more  assiduous  in  the  duty,  nor  is 
it  common  to  see  a  suppliant  so  mindful  of  those 
whom  he  trouble th,  by  more  substantial  proofs  of 
respect," 

"  But  chiefly  should  you  be  particular  to  earn  the 
senate's  esteem.  No  act  of  service  to  the  state  is 
overlooked  by  that  body,  and  the  smallest  good  deed 
finds  its  way  into  the  recesses  of  the  two  councils." 

"  Would  I  could  have  communication  with  those 
reverend  fathers !  I  think  the  justice  of  my  claim 
would  speedily  work  out  its  own  right." 

"That  were  impossible!"  gravely  returned  the 
senator.  "  Those  august  bodies  are  secret,  that 
their  majesty  may  not  be  tarnished  by  communica 
tion  with  vulgar  interests.  They  rule  like  the  un 
seen  influence  of  mind  over  matter,  and  form,  as  it 
were,  the  soul  of  the  state,  whose  seat,  like  that  of 
reason,  remains  a  problem  exceeding  human  pene 
tration." 

"  I  express  the  desire,  rather  as  a  wish  than  with 
any  hope  of  its  being  granted,"  returned  the  Duke  of 
St.  Agata,  resuming  his  cloak  and  mask,  neither  of 


THE  BRAVO.  95 

which  had  been  entirely  laid  aside.  "  Adieu,  noble 
Signore ;  I  shall  not  cease  to  move  the  Castilian 
with  frequent  advice,  and,  in  return,  I  commit  my 
affair  to  the  justice  of  the  patricians,  and  your  o\\n 
good  friendship." 

Sigrior  Gradenigo  bowed  his  guest  through  all 
the  rooms  of  the  long  suite,  but  the  last,  where  he 
committed  him  to  the  care  of  the  groom  of  his 
chambers. 

"  The  youth  must  be  stirred  to  greater  industry 
in  this  matter,  by  clogging  the  wheels  of  the  law. 
He  that  would  ask  favors  of  St.  Mark  must  first 
earn  them,  by  showing  zealous  dispositions  in  his 
behalf." 

Such  were  the  reflections  of  the  Signor  Gra 
denigo,  as  he  slowly  returned  towards  his  closet, 
after  a  ceremonious  leave-taking  with  his  guest,  in 
the  outer  apartment.  Closing  the  door,  he  com 
menced  pacing  the  small  apartment,  with  the  step 
Lid  eye  of  a  man  who  again  mused  with  some 
anxiety.  After  a  minute  of  profound  stillness,  a 
door,  concealed  by  the  hangings  of  the  room,  was 
cautiously  opened,  and  the  face  of  still  another 
visitor  appeared. 

"  Enter!"  said  the  senator,  betraying  no  surprise 
at  the  apparition ;  "  the  hour  is  past,  and  I  wait 
for  thee." 

The  flowing  dress,  the  gray  and  venerable  beard, 
the  noble  outline  of  features,  the  quick,  greedy,  and 
suspicious  eye,  with  an  expression  of  countenance 
that  was,  perhaps,  equally  marked  by  worldly  saga 
city,  and  feelings  often  rudely  rebuked,  proclaimed 
a  Hebrew  of  the  Rialto. 

**  Enter,  Hosea,  and  unburthen  thyself."  continued 
the  senator,  like  one  prepared  for  some  habitual 
communication.  "  Is  there  aught  new  that  touches 
the  public  weal  ? " 

"  Blessed  is  the  people  over  whom  there  is  so 


96  THE   BRAVO. 

fatherly  a  care !  Can  there  be  good  or  evil  to  the 
citizen  of  the  republic,  noble  Signore,  without  the 
bowels  of  the  senate  moving,  as  the  parent  yearn- 
eth  over  its  young  'I  Happy  is  the  country  in  which 
men  of  reverend  years  and  whitened  heads  watch, 
until  night  draws  toward  the  day,  and  weariness 
is  forgotten  in  the  desire  to  do  good,  and  to  honor 
the  state!" 

"  Thy  mind  partaketh  of  the  eastern  imagery  of 
the  country  of  thy  fathers,  good  Hosea,  and  thou 
art  apt  to  forget  that  thou  art  not  yet  watching  on 
the  steps  of  the  temple.  What  of  interest  hath  the 
day  brought  forth  '?" 

"  Say  rather  the  night,  Signore,  for  little  worthy 
of  your  ear  hath  happened,  save  a  matter  of  some 
trilling  import,  which  hath  grown  out  of  the  move 
ments  of  the  evening." 

"  Have  there  been  stilettoes  busy  on  the  bridge  1 — 
ha  ! — or  do  the  people  joy  less  than  common  in  their 
levities?" 

**  None  have  died  wrongfully,  and  the  square  is 
gay  as  the  fragrant  vineyards  of  Engedi.  Holy 
Abraham !  what  a  place  is  Venice  for  its  pleasures, 
arid  how  the  hearts  of  old  and  young  revel  in  their 
merriment !  It  is  almost  sufficient  to  fix  the  font  in 
the  synagogue,  to  witness  so  joyous  a  dispensation 
in  behalf  of  the  people  of  these  islands !  I  had  not 
hoped  for  the  honor  of  an  interview  to-night,  Sig 
nore,  and  I  had  prayed,  before  laying  my  head  upon 
the  pillow,  when  one  charged  by  the  council  brought 
to  me  a  jewel,  with  an  order  to  decipher  the  arms 
arid  other  symbols  of  its  owner.  'Tis  a  ring,  with 
the  usual  marks,  which  accompany  private  con 
fidences." 

"  Thou  hast  the  signet?"  said  the  noble,  stretching 
out  an  arm. 

"  It  is  here,  and  a  goodly  stone  it  is ;  a  turquoise 
of  price." 


THE   BRAVO.  97 

•*  Whence  came  it — and  why  is  it  sent  to  thee  ? " 

"  It  came,  Signore,  as  I  gather  more  through 
hints  and  intimations  of  the  messenger  than  by  his 
words,  from  a  place  resembling  that  which  the 
righteous  Daniel  escaped,  in  virtue  of  his  godliness 
and  birth." 

"  Thou  meanest  the  Lion's  Mouth  ?" 

"  So  say  our  ancient  books.,  Signore,  in  reference 
to  the  prophet,  and  so  would  the  council's  agent 
seem  to  intimate,  in  reference  to  the  ring." 

"  Here  is  naught  but  a  crest  with  the  equestrian 
helmet — comes  it  of  any  in  Venice?" 

"  The  upright  Solomon  guide  the  judgment  of  his 
servant  in  a  matter  of  this  delicacy !  The  jewel  is 
of  rare  beauty,  such  as  few  possess  but  those  who 
have  gold  in  store  for  other  purposes.  Do  but  re 
gard  the  soft  lustre  in  this  light,  noble  Signore,  and 
remark  the  pleasing  colors  that  rise  by  the  change 
of  view ! " 

"Ay — 'tis  well — but  who  claimeth  the  bearings  ?" 

"  It  is  wonderful  to  contemplate  how  great  a  value 
may  lie  concealed  in  so  small  a  compass !  I  have 
known  sequins  of  full  weight  and  heavy  amount 
given  for  baubles  less  precious." 

"  Wilt  thou  never  forget  thy  stall  and  the  way 
farers  of  the  Rialto?  I  bid  thee  name  him  who 
beareth  these  symbols  as  marks  of  his  family  and 
rank." 

"Noble  Signore,  I  obey.  The  crest  is  of  the 
family  of  Monforte,  the  last  senator  of  which  died 
some  fifteen  years  since." 

"And  his  jewels?" 

"  They  have  passed,  with  other  movables  of 
which  the  state  taketh  no  account,  into  the  keeping 
of  his  kinsman  and  successor — if  it  be  the  senate's 
pleasure  that  there  shall  be  a  successor  to  that  an 
cient  name — Don  Camillo  of  St.  Agata.  The 
wealthy  Neapolitan  who  now  urges  his  rights  here 

VOL.  I.  I 


98  THE   BRAVO. 

in  Venice,  is  the  present  owner  of  this  precious 
stone." 

"  Give  me  the  ring ;  this  must  be  looked  to — hast 
thou  more  to  say?" 

"  Nothing,  Signore — unless  to  petition,  if  there  is 
to  be  any  condemnation  and  sale  of  the  jewel,  that 
it  may  first  be  offered  to  an  ancient  servitor  of  the 
republic,  who  hath  much  reason  to  regret  that  his 
age  hath  been  less  prosperous  than  his  youth." 

"  Thou  shalt  not  be  forgotten.  I  hear  it  said, 
ITosea,  that  divers  of  our  young  nobles  frequent  thy 
Hebrew  shops  with  intent  to  borrow  gold,  which, 
lavished  in  present  prodigality,  is  to  be  bitterly  re 
paid  at  a  later  day  by  self-denial,  and  such  embar 
rassments  as  suit  not  the  heirs  of  noble  names. 
Take  heed  of  this  matter — for  if  the  displeasure  of 
the  council  should  alight  on  any  of  thy  race,  there 
would  be  long  and  serious  accounts  to  settle  !  Hast 
thou  had  employment  of  late  with  other  signets,  be 
sides  this  of  the  Neapolitan?" 

"  Unless  in  the  vulgar  way  of  our  daily  occupa 
tion,  none  of  note,  illustrious  Signore." 

"  Regard  this,"  continued  the  Signor  Gradenigo, 
first  searching  in  a  secret  drawer,  whence  he  drew 
a  small  bit  of  paper,  to  which  a  morsel  of  wax  ad 
hered  ;  "  canst  thou  form  any  conjecture,  by  the  im 
pression,  concerning  him  who  used  that  seal?" 

The  jeweller  took  the  paper  and  held  it  towards 
the  light,  while  his  glittering  eyes  intently  examined 
the  conceit. 

"  This  would  surpass  the  wisdom  of  the  son  of 
David !"  he  said,  after  a  long  and  seemingly  a  fruit 
less  examination ;  "  here  is  naught  but  some  fanciful 
device  of  gallantry,  such  as  the  light-hearted  cava 
liers  of  the  city  are  fond  of  using,  when  they  tempt 
the  weaker  sex  with  fair  words  and  seductive  van 
ities." 


THE  BRAVO.  99 

"  It  is  a  heart  pierced  with  the  dart  of  love,  and 
a  motto  of  *  pensa  al  cuore  trafitto  d'amore?  " 

"  Naught  else,  as  my  eyes  do  their  duty.  I  should 
think  there  was  but  very  little  meant  by  those 
words,  Signore!" 

"  That  as  may  be.  Thou  hast  never  sold  a  jewel 
with  that  conceit?" 

"Just  Samuel!  We  dispose  of  them  daily,  to 
Christians  of  both  sexes  and  all  ages.  I  know  no 
device  of  greater  frequency,  whereby  I  conceive 
there  is  much  commerco  in  this  light  fidelity." 

"  He  who  used  it  did  well  in  concealing  his 
thoughts  beneath  so  general  a  dress !  There  will  be 
a  reward  of  a  hundred  sequins  to  him  who  traces 
the  owner." 

Hosea  was  about  to  return  the  seal  as  beyond  his 
knowledge,  when  this  remark  fell  casually  from  the 
lips  of  the  Signor  Gradenigo.  In  a  moment  his  eyes 
were  fortified  with  a  glass  of  microscopic  power, 
and  the  paper  was  again  before  the  lamp. 

"I  disposed  of  a  cornelian  of  no  great  price, 
which  bore  this  conceit,  to  the  wife  of  the  emperor's 
ambassador,  but  conceiving  there  was  no  more  in 
the  purchase  than  some  waywardness  of  fancy,  I 
took  no  precaution  to  note  the  stone.  A  gentleman 
in  the  family  of  the  Legate  of  Ravenna,  also,  traf 
ficked  with  me  for  an  amethyst  of  the  same  design, 
but  with  him,  neither,  did  I  hold  it  important  to  be 
particular.  Ha !  here  is  a  private  mark,  that  in 
truth  seemeth  to  be  of  my  own  hand ! " 

"Dost  thou  find  a  clue  I  What  is  the  sign  of 
which  thou  speakest?" 

"Naught,  noble  senator,  but  a  slur  in  a  letter, 
which  would  not  be  apt  to  catch  the  eye  of  an  over- 
credulous  maiden." 

"  And  thou  parted  with  the  seal  to ?" 

Hosea  hesitated,  for  he  foresaw  some  danger  of 


' 


100  THE    BRAVO. 

losing  his  reward,  by  a  too  hasty  communication 
of  the  truth. 

"  If  it  be  important  that  the  fact  be  known, 
Signore,"  he  said,  "  I  will  consult  my  books.  In  a 
matter  of  this  gravity,  the  senate  should  not  be 
misled." 

"  Thou  sayest  well.  The  affair  is  grave,  and  the 
reward  a  sufficient  pledge  that  we  so  esteem  it." 

44  Something  was  said,  illustrious  Signore,  of  a 
hundred  sequins ;  but  my  mind  taketh  little  heod 
of  such  particulars,  when  the  good  of  Venice  is  in 
question." 

"  A  hundred  is  the  sum  I  promised." 

"  I  parted  with  a  signet-ring,  bearing  some  such 
design,  to  a  female  in  the  service  of  the  nuncio's 
first  gentleman.  But  this  seal  cannot  come  of  that, 
since  a  woman  of  her  station — •— " 

"Art  sure?"  eagerly  interrupted  the  Signer 
Gradenigo. 

Hosea  looked  earnestly  at  his  companion;  and 
reading  in  his  eye  and  countenance  that  the  clue 
was  agreeable,  he  answered  promptly, — 

"  As  that  I  live  under  the  law  of  Moses !  The 
bauble  had  been  long  on  hand  without  an  offer,  and 
I  abandoned  it  to  the  uses  of  my  money." 

"  The  sequins  are  thine,  excellent  Jew !  This 
clears  the  mystery  of  every  doubt.  Go  ;  thou  shalt 
have  thy  reward ;  and  if  thou  hast  any  particulars 
in  thy  secret  register,  let  me  be  quickly  possessed 
of  them.  Go  to,  good  Hosea,  and  be  punctual 
as  of  wont.  I  tire  of  these  constant  exercises  of 
the  spirit !" 

The  Hebrew,  exulting  in  his  success,  now  took 
his  leave,  with  a  manner  in  which  habitual  cupidity 
and  subdued  policy  completely  mastered  every 
other  feeling.  He  disappeared  by  the  passage 
through  which  he.had  entered. 

It  seemed,  by  the  manner  of  the  Signor  Gra- 


o. 


THE   BRAVO.  101 

denigo,  that  the  receptions  for  that  evening  had  now 
ended.  He  carefully  examined  the  locks  of  several 
secret  drawers  in  his  cabinet,  extinguished  the  lights, 
closed  and  secured  the  doors,  and  quitted  the  place. 
For  some  time  longer,  however,  he  paced  one  of 
the  principal  rooms  of  the  outer  suite,  until  the  usual 
hour  having  arrived,  he  sought  his  rest,  and  the 
palace  was  closed  for  the  night. 

The  reader  will  have  gained  some  insight  into  the 
character  of  the  individual  who  was  the  chief  actor 
in  the  foregoing  scenes.  The  Signer  Gradenigo 
was  born  with  all  the  sympathies  and  natural  kind 
liness  of  other  men,  but  accident,  and  an  education 
which  had  received  a  strong  bias  from  the  institu 
tions  of  the  self-styled  republic,  had  made  him  the 
creature  of  a  conventional  policy.  To  him  Venice 
seemed  a  free  state,  because  he  partook  so  largely 
of  the  benefits  of  her  social  system ;  and,  though 
shrewd  and  practised  in  most  of  the  affairs  of  the 
world,  his  faculties,  on  the  subject  of  the  political 
ethics  of  his  country,  were  possessed  of  a  rare  and 
accommodating  dullness.  A  senator,  he  stood  in 
relation  to  the  state  as  a  director  of  a  moneyed  insti 
tution  is  proverbially  placed  in  respect  to  his  corpo 
ration  ;  an  agent  of  its  collective  measures,  removed 
from  the  responsibilities  of  the  man.  He  could 
reason  warmly,  if  not  acutely,  concerning  the  prin 
ciples  of  government,  and  it  would  be  difficult,  even 
in  this  money-getting  age,  to  find  a  more  zealous 
convert  to  the  opinion  that  property  was  not  a 
subordinate,  but  the  absorbing  interest  of  civilized 
life.  He  would  talk  ably  of  character,  and  honor, 
and  virtue,  and  religion,  and  the  rights  of  persons ; 
but  when  called  upon  to  act  in  their  behalf,  there 
was  in  his  mind  a  tendency  to  blend  them  all  with 
worldly  policy,  that  proved  as  unerring  as  the  gravi 
tation  of  matter  to  the  earth's  centre.  As  a  lrenetian, 
he  was  equally  opposed  to  the  domination  of  one,  or 
12 


102  THE    BRAVO. 

of  die  whole ;  being,  as  respects  the  first,  a  furious 
republican,  and,  in  reference  to  the  last,  leaning  to 
that  singular  sophism  which  calls  the  dominion  of 
the  majority  the  rule  of  many  tyrants !  In  short, 
he  was  an  aristocrat;  and  no  man  had  more  indus 
triously  or  more  successfully  persuaded  himself  into 
the  belief  of  all  the  dogmas  that  were  favorable  to 
his  caste.  He  was  a  powerful  advocate  of  vested 
rights,  for  their  possession  was  advantageous  to 
himself;  he  was  sensitively  alive  to  innovations  on 
usages  and  to  vicissitudes  in  the  histories  of  families, 
for  calculation  had  substituted  taste  for  principles ; 
nor  was  he  backward,  on  occasion,  in  defending 
his  opinions  by  analogies  drawn  from  the  decrees 
of  Providence.  With  a  philosophy  that  seemed  to 
satisfy  himself,  he  contended  that,  as  God  had  estab 
lished  orders  throughout  his  own  creation,  in  a  de 
scending  chain  from  angels  to  men,  it  was  safe  to 
follow  an  example  which  emanated  from  a  wisdom 
that  was  infinite.  Nothing  could  be  more  sound 
than  the  basis  of  his  theory,  though  its  application 
had  the  capital  error  of  believing  there  was  any 
imitation  of  nature  in  an  endeavor  to  supplant  it. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

The  moon  went  down ;  and  nothing  now  was  seen 
Save  where  the  lamp  of  a  Madonna  shone 
Faintly. 

ROGERS. 

JUST  as  the  secret  audiences  of  the  Palazzo  Gra- 
denigo  were  ended,  the  great  square  of  St.  Mark 
began  to  lose  a  portion  of  its  gaiety.  The  cafes 
were  no~v  occupied  by  parties  who  had  the  means, 
mid  were  in  the  humor,  to  put  their  indulgences  to 


THE  BRAVO.  103 

more  substantial  proof  than  the  passing  gibe  or  idle 
laugh ;  while  those  who  were  reluctantly  compelled 
to  turn  their  thoughts  from  the  levities  of  the  mo 
ment  to  the  cares  of  the  morrow,  were  departing 
in  crowds  to  humble  roofs  and  hard  pillows.  There 
remained  one  of  the  latter  class,  however,  who  con 
tinued  to  occupy  a  spot  near  the  junction  of  the 
two  squares,  as  motionless  as  if  his  naked  feet  grew 
to  the  stone  on  which  he  stood.  It  was  Antonio. 

The  position  of  the  fisherman  brought  the  whole 
of  his  muscular  form  and  bronzed  features  beneath 
the  rays  of  the  moon.  The  dark,  anxious,  and  stern 
eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  mild  orb,  as  if  their  owner 
sought  to  penetrate  into  another  world,  in  quest  of 
that  peace  which  he  had  never  known  in  this. 
There  was  suffering  in  the  expression  of  the  wea 
ther-worn  face ;  but  it  was  the  suffering  of  one  whose 
native  sensibilities  had  been  a  little  deadened  by  too 
much  familiarity  with  the  lot  of  the  feeble.  To  one, 
who  considered  life  and  humanity  in  any  other  than 
their  familiar  and  vulgar  aspects,  he  would  have 
presented  a  touching  picture  of  a  noble  nature,  en 
during  with  pride,  blunted  by  habit;  while  to  him, 
who  regards  the  accidental  dispositions  of  society 
as  paramount  laws,  he  might  have  presented  the 
image  of  dogged  turbulence  and  discontent,  health 
fully  repressed  by  the  hand  of  power.  A  heavy  sigh 
struggled  from  the  chest  of  the  old  man,  and,  stroking 
down  the  few  hairs  which  time  had  left  him,  he 
lifted  his  cap  from  the  pavement,  and  prepared  to 
move. 

"Thou  art  late  from  thy  bed,  Antonio,"  said  a 
voice  at  his  elbow.  "  The  triglie  must  be  of  good 
price,  or  of  great  plenty,  that  one  of  thy  trade  can 
spare  time  to  air  himself  in  the  Piazza  at  this  hour. 
Thou  hearest,  the  clock  is  telling  the  fifth  hour  of 
the  night." 

The  fisherman  bent  his  head  aside,  and  regarded 


104  THE    BRAVO. 

the  figure  of  his  masked  companion,  for  a  moment, 
with  indifference,  betraying  neither  curiosity  nor 
feeling  at  his  address. 

"Since  thou  knowest  me,"  he  answered,  "it  is 
probable  thou  knowest  that  in  quitting  this  place,  I 
shall  go  to  an  empty  dwelling.  Since  thou  knowest 
me  so  well,  thou  should'st  also  know  my  wrongs." 

"  Who  hath  injured  thee,  worthy  fisherman,  that 
thou  speakest  so  boldly  beneath  the  very  windows 
of  the  doge?" 

"  The  state." 

"  This  is  hardy  language  for  the  ear  of  St. 
Mark!  Were  it  too  loudly  spoken,  yonder  lion 
might  growl. — Of  what  dost  thou  accuse  the  re 
public?" 

"  Lead  me  to  them  that  sent  thee,  and  I  will  spare 
the  trouble  of  a  go-between.  I  am  ready  to  tell  my 
wrongs  to  the  doge,  on  his  throne ;  for  what  can 
one,  poor,  and  old  as  I,  dread  from  their  anger?" 

"  Thou  believest  me  sent  to  betray  thee?" 

"  Thou  knowest  thine  own  errand." 

The  other  removed  his  mask,  and  turned  his  face 
towards  the  moon. 

"Jacopo!"  exclaimed  the  fisherman,  gazing  at 
the  expressive  Italian  features  ;  "  one  of  thy  char 
acter  can  have  no  errand  with  me." 

A  flush,  that  was  visible  even  in  that  light,  passed 
athwart  the  countenance  of  the  Bravo  ;  but  he  stilled 
every  other  exhibition  of  feeling. 

"  Thou  art  wrong.     My  errand  is  with  thee." 

"  Does  the  senate  think  a  fisherman  of  the  La- 
gunes  of  sufficient  importance  to  be  struck  by  a 
stiletto?  Do  thy  work,  then! "he  added,  glancing 
at  his  brown  and  naked  bosom ;  "  there  is  nothing 
to  prevent  thee ! " 

"  Antonio,  thou  dost  me  wrong.  The  senate  has 
no  such  purpose.  But  I  have  heard  that  thou  hast 
reason  for  discontent,  and  that  thou  speakest  openly, 


THE    BRAVO.  105 

on  the  Lido  and  among  the  islands,  of  affairs  that 
the  patricians  like  not  to  be  stirred  among  men  of 
your  class.  I  come,  as  a  friend,  to  warn  thee  of  the 
consequences  of  such  indiscretion,  rather  than  as 
one  to  harm  thee." 

"  Thou  art  sent  to  say  this?" 

"Old  man,  age  should  teach  thy  tongue  mode 
ration.  What  will  avail  vain  complaints  against 
the  republic,  or  what  canst  thou  hope  for,  as  their 
fruits,  but  evil  to  thyself,  and  evil  to  the  child  that 
thou  lovest?" 

'•I  know  not — but  when  the  heart  is  sore,  the 
tongue  will  speak.  They  have  taken  away  my  boy, 
and  they  have  left  little  behind  that  I  value.  The 
life  they  threaten  is  too  short  to  be  cared  for." 

"  Thou  should'st  temper  thy  regrets  with  wisdom. 
The  Signor  Gradenigo  has  long  been  friendly  to 
thee,  and  I  have  heard  that  thy  mother  nursed  him. 
Try  his  ears  with  prayers,  but  cease  to  anger  the 
republic  with  complaints." 

Antonio  looked  wistfully  at  his  companion,  but 
when  he  had  ceased,  he  shook  his  head  mournfully, 
as  if  to  express  the  hopelessness  of  relief  from  that 
quarter. 

"  I  have  told  him  all  that  a  man,  born  and  nursed 
on  the  Lagunes,  can  find  words  to  say.  He  is  a 
senator,  Jacopo ;  and  he  thinks  not  of  suffering  he 
does  not  feel." 

"  Art  thou  not  wrong,  old  man,  to  accuse  him 
who  hath  been  born  in  affluence,  of  hardness  of 
heart,  merely  that  he  doth  not  feel  the  misery  thou 
would'st  avoid,  too,  were  it  in  thy  power?  Thou 
hast  thy  gondola  and  nets,  with  health  and  the  cun- 
'ning  of  thy  art,  and  in  that  art  thou  happier  than  he 
who  hath  neither — would'st  thou  forget  thy  skill, 
and  share  thy  little  stock  with  the  beggar  of  San 
Marco,  that  your  fortunes  might  be  equal  ?" 

**  There  may  be  truth  in  what  thou  sayest  of  our 


106  THE    BRAVO. 

labor  and  our  means,  but  when  it  comes  to  our 
young,  nature  is  the  same  in  both.  I  see  no  reason 
why  the  son  of  the  patrician  should  go  free,  and  the 
child  of  the  fisherman  be  sold  to  blood.  Have  not 
the  senators  enough  of  happiness,  in  their  riches  and 
greatness,  that  they  rob  me  of  my  son?" 

"Thou  knowest,  Antonio,  the  state  must  be  served, 
and  were  its  officers  to  go  into  the  palaces  in  quest 
of  hardy  mariners  for  the  fleet,  would  they,  think 
you,  find  them  that  would  honor  the  winged  lion,  in 
the  hour  of  his  need  ?  Thy  old  arm  is  muscular,  and 
thy  leg  steady  on  the  water,  and  they  seek  those 
who,  like  thee,  have  been  trained  to  the  seas." 

"  Thou  should'st  have  said,  also,  and  thy  old 
breast  is  scarred.  Before  thy  birth,  Jacopo,  I  went 
against  the  infidel,  and  my  blood  was  shed,  like 
water,  for  the  state.  But  they  have  forgotten  it, 
while  there  are  rich  marbles  raised  in  the  churches, 
which  speak  of  what  the  nobles  did,  who  came 
unharmed  from  the  same  wars." 

"  I  have  heard  my  father  say  as  much,"  returned 
the  Bravo,  gloomily,  and  speaking  in  an  altered 
voice.  "  He,  too,  bled  in  that  war ;  but  that  is 
forgotten." 

The  fisherman  glanced  a  look  around,  and  per 
ceiving  that  several  groups  were  conversing  near, 
in  the  square,  he  signed  to  his  companion  to  follow 
him,  and  walked  towards  the  quays. 

"  Thy  father,"  he  said,  as  they  moved  slowly  on 
together,  "  was  my  comrade  and  my  friend.  I  am 
old,  Jacopo,  and  poor ;  my  days  are  past  in  toil,  on 
the  Lagunes,  and  my  nights  in  gaining  strength  to 
meet  the  labor  of  the  morrow ;  but  it  hath  grieved 
me  to  hear  that  the  son  of  one  I  much  loved,  and 
with  whom  I  have  so  often  shared  good  and  evil, 
fair  and  foul,  hath  taken  to  a  life  like  that  which 
men  say  is  thine.  The  gold  that  is  the  price  of 


THE    BRAVO.  107 

blood  was  never  yet  blessed  to  him  that  gave,  or 
him  that  received." 

The  Bravo  listened  in  silence,  though  his  com 
panion,  who,  at  another  moment,  and  under  other 
emotions,  would  have  avoided  him  as  one  shrinks 
from  contagion,  saw,  on  looking  mournfully  up  into 
his  face,  that  the  muscles  were  slightly  agitated,  and 
that  a  paleness  crossed  his  cheeks,  which  the  light 
of  the  moon  rendered  ghastly. 

"  Thou  hast  suffered  poverty  to  tempt  thee  into 
grievous  sin,  Jacopo ;  but  it  is  never  too  late  to  call 
on  the  saints  for  aid,  and  to  lay  aside  the  stiletto ! 
It  is  not  profitable  for  a  man  to  be  known  in  Venice 
as  thy  fellow,  but  the  friend  of  thy  father  will  not 
abandon  one  who  shows  a  penitent  spirit.  Lay 
aside  thy  stiletto,  and  come  with  me  to  the  Lagunes. 
Thou  wilt  find  labor  less  burdensome  than  guilt,  and 
though  thou  never  canst  be  to  me  like  the  boy  they 
have  taken,  for  he  was  innocent  as  the  lamb !  thou 
wilt  still  be  the  son  of  an  ancient  comrade,  and  a 
stricken  spirit.  Come  with  me  then  to  the  Lagunes, 
for  poverty  and  misery  like  mine,  cannot  meet  with 
more  contempt,  even  for  being  thy  companion." 

"What  is  it  men  say,  that  thou  treatest  me  thus  ?" 
demanded  Jacopo,  in  a  low,  struggling  voice. 

"  I  would  they  said  untruth  !  But  few  die  by  vio 
lence,  in  Venice,  that  thy  name  is  not  uttered." 

"  And  would  they  suffer  one  thus  marked,  to  go 
openly  on  the  canals,  or  to  be  at  large  in  the  great 
square  of  San  Marco?" 

"We  never  know  the  reasons  of  the  senate.  Some 
say  thy  time  is  not  yet  come,  while  others  think  thou 
art  too  powerful  for  judgment." 

"  Thou  dost  equal  credit  to  the  justice  and  the 
activity  of  the  inquisition.  But  should  I  go  with 
thee  to-night,  wilt  thou  be  more  discreet  in  speech, 
among  thy  fellows  of  the  Lido,  and  the  islands?" 

"  When  the  heart  hath  its  load,  the  tongue  will 


108  THE   BRAVO. 

strive  to  lighten  it.  I  would  do  any  thing  to  turn 
the  child  of  my  friend  from  his  evil  ways,  but  forget 
my  own.  Thou  art  used  to  deal  with  the  patricians, 
Jacopo ;  would  there  be  portability  for  one,  clad  in 
this  dress,  and  with  a  face  blackened  by  the  sun,  to 
come  to  speak  with  the  doge  'I " 

"  There  is  no  lack  of  seeming  justice  in  Venice, 
Antonio ;  the  want  is  in  the  substance.  I  doubt  not 
thou  would'st  be  heard." 

"  Then  will  I  wait,  here,  upon  the  stones  of  the 
square,  until  he  comes  forth  for  the  pomp  of  to 
morrow,  and  try  to  move  his  heart  to  justice.  He 
is  old,  like  myself,  and  he  hath  bled  too,  for  the  state, 
and  what  is  more,  he  is  a  father." 

"  So  is  the  Signor  Gradenigo." 

"  Thou  doubtest  his  pity— ha  ?" 

"  Thou  canst  but  try.  The  Doge  of  Venice  will 
hearken  to  a  petition  from  the  meanest  citizen.  I 
think,"  added  Jacopo,  speaking  so  low  as  to  be 
scarcely  audible,  "  he  would  listen  even  to  me." 

"  Though  I  am  not  able  to  put  my  prayer  in  such 
speech  as  becometh  the  ear  of  a  great  prince,  he 
shall  hear  the  truth  from  a  wronged  man.  They 
call  him  the  chosen  of  the  state,  and  such  a  one 
should  gladly  listen  to  justice.  This  is  a  hard  bed, 
Jacopo,"  continued  the  fisherman,  seating  himself 
at  the  foot  of  the  column  of  St.  Theodore,  "  but  I 
have  slept  on  colder  and  as  hard,  when  there  was 
less  reason  to  do  it — a  happy  night." 

The  Bravo  lingered  a  minute  near  the  old  man, 
who  folded  his  arms  on  his  naked  breast,  which  was 
fanned  by  the  sea-breeze,  and  disposed  of  his  person 
to  take  his  rest  in  the  square,  a  practice  not  unusual 
among  men  of  his  class ;  but  when  he  found  that 
Antonio  was  inclined  to  be  alone,  he  moved  on, 
leaving  the  fisherman  to  himself. 

The  night  was  now  getting  to  be  advanced,  and 
few  of  the  revellers  remained  in  the  areas  of  the 


THE  BRAVO.  109 

two  squares.  Jacopo  cast  a  glance  around,  and 
noting  the  hour  and  the  situation  of  the  place,  he 
proceeded  to  the  edge  of  the  quay.  The  public 
gondoliers  had  left  their  boats  moored,  as  usual,  at 
this  spot,  and  a  profound  stillness  reigned  over  the 
whole  bay.  The  water  was  scarce  darkened  by 
the  air,  which  rather  breathed  upon  than  ruffled  its 
surface,  and  no  sound  of  oar  was  audible  amid  the 
forest  of  picturesque  and  classical  spars,  which 
crowded  the  view  between  the  Piazzetta  and  the 
Guidecca.  The  Bravo  hesitated,  cast  another  wary 
glance  around  him,  settled  his  mask,  undid  the  slight 
fastenings  of  a  boat,  and  presently  he  was  gliding 
away  into  the  centre  of  the  basin. 

"Who  cometh?"  demanded  one,  who  seemingly 
stood  at  watch,  in  a  felucca,  anchored  a  little  apart 
from  all  others. 

"  One  expected,"  was  the  answer. 

"Roderigo?" 

"  The  same." 

"  Thou  art  late,"  said  the  mariner  of  Calabria,  as 
Jacopo  stepped  upon  the  low  deck  of  the  Bella  Sor- 
rentina.  "My  people  have  long  been  beknv,  and  I 
have  dreamt  thrice  of  shipwreck,  and  twice  of  a 
heavy  sirocco,  since  thou  hast  been  expected." 

"  Thou  hast  had  more  time  to  wrong  the  customs. 
Is  the  felucca  ready  for  her  work?" 

"  As  for  the  customs,  there  is  little  chance  of  gain 
in  this  greedy  city.  The  senators  secure  all  profits 
to  themselves  and  their  friends,  \vhile  wre  of  the 
barks  are  tied  down  to  low  freights  and  hard  bar 
gains.  I  have  sent  a  dozen  casks  of  lachrymal 
christi  up  the  canals  since  the  masquers  came 
abroad,  and  beyond  that  I  have  not  occasion. 
There  is  enough  left  for  thy  comfort,  at  need. 
Wilt  drink?" 

"  I  am  sworn  to  sobriety.  Is  thy  vessel  ready,  as 
wont,  for  the  errand?" 

VOL.  I.  K 


]10  THE  BRAVO. 

"  Is  the  senate  as  ready  with  its  money  ?  This  is 
the  fourth  of  my  voyages  in  their  service ;  and  they 
have  only  to  look  into  their  own  secrets  to  know  the 
manner  in  which  the  work  hath  been  done." 

"  They  are  content,  and  thou  hast  been  well  re 
warded." 

"  Say  it  not.  I  have  gained  more  gold  by  one 
lucky  shipment  of  fruits  from  the  isles,  than  by  all 
their  night-work.  Would  those  who  employ  me 
give  a  little  especial  traffic  on  the  entrance  of  the 
felucca,  there  might  be  advantage  in  the  trade." 

"  There  is  nothing  which  St.  Mark  visits  with  a 
heavier  punishment  than  frauds  on  his  receipts. 
Have  a  care  with  thy  wines,  or  thou  wilt  lose  not 
only  thy  bark  and  thy  voyage,  but  thy  liberty  ! " 

"  This  is  just  the  ground  of  my  complaint,  Sig- 
nor  Roderigo.  Rogue  and  no  rogue,  is  the  repub 
lic's  motto.  Here,  they  are  as  close  in  justice  as  a 
father  amid  his  children ;  and  there,  it  is  better  that 
what  is  done  should  be  done  at  midnight.  I  like  not 
the  contradiction,  for  just  as  my  hopes  are  a  little 
raised,  by  what  I  have  witnessed,  perhaps  a  little 
too  near,  they  are  all  blown  to  the  winds,  by  such  a 
frown  as  San  Gennero  himself  might  cast  upon  a 
sinner." 

"Remember  thou  art  not  in  thy  wide  Mediter 
ranean,  but  on  a  canal  of  Venice.  This  language 
might  be  unsafe,  were  it  heard  by  less  friendly 
ears." 

"  I  thank  thee  for  thy  care,  though  the  sight  of 
yonder  old  palace  is  as  good  a  hint  to  the  loose 
tongue,  as  the  sight  of  a  gibbet,  on  the  sea-shore,  to 
a  pirate.  I  met  an  ancient  fellow  in  the  Piazzeita, 
about  the  time  the  masquers  came  in,  and  we  had 
some  words  on  this  matter.  By  his  tally,  every 
second  man  in  Venice  is  well  paid  for  reporting 
what  the  others  say  and  do.  'Tis  a  pity,  with  all 
their  seeming  love  of  justice,  good  Roderigo,  that 


THE    BRAVO.  Ill 

the  senate  should  let  divers  knaves  go  at  large  ;  men 
whose  very  faces  cause  the  stones  to  redden  with 
anger  and  shame !" 

**  I  did  not  know  that  any  such  were  openly  seen 
in  Venice ;  what  is  secretly  done  may  be  favored 
for  a  time,  through  difficulty  of  proof,  but — " 

"Cospetto!  They  tell  me  the  councils  have  a 
short  manner  of  making  a  sinner  give  up  his  mis 
deeds.  Now,  here  is  the  miscreant  Jacopo. — What 
aileth  thee,  man  '?  The  anchor,  on  which  thou  lean 
est,  is  not  heated." 

"  Nor  is  it  of  feathers ;  one's  bones  may  ache 
from  its  touch  without  offence,  I  hope." 

"  The  iron  is  of  Elba — and  was  forged  in  a  vol 
cano.  This  Jacopo  is  one  that  should  not  go  at 
large  in  an  honest  city,  and  yet  is  he  seen  pacing 
the  square  with  as  much  ease  as  a  noble  in  the 
Broglio!" 

"  I  know  him  not." 

"  Not  to  know  the  boldest  hand  and  surest  stiletto 
in  Venice,  honest  Roderigo,  is  to  thy  praise.  But 
he  is  well  marked  among  us  of  the  port,  and  we 
never  see  the  man  but  we  begin  to  think  of  our  sins, 
and  of  penances  forgotten.  I  marvel  much  that 
the  inquisitors  do  not  give  him  to  the  devil,  on  some 
public  ceremony,  for  the  benefit  of  small  offenders !" 

"  Are  his  deeds  so  notorious,  that  they  might  pro 
nounce  on  his  fate  without  proof?" 

"  Go,  ask  that  question  in  the  streets  !  Not  a  Chris 
tian  loses  his  life  in  Venice  without  warning,  and 
the  number  is  not  few,  to  say  nothing  of  those  who 
die  with  state  fevers,  but  men  see  the  work  of  his 
sure  hand  in  the  blow.  Signor  Roderigo,  your  ca 
nals  are  convenient  graves  for  sudden  deaths!" 

"  Methinks  there  is  contradiction  in  this.  Thou 
speakest  of  proofs  of  the  hand  that  gave  it,  in  the 
manner  of  the  blow,  and  then  thou  callest  in  the  aid 
of  the  canals  to  cov|r  the  whole  deed.  Truly,  there 


112  THE   BRAVO. 

is  some  wrong  done  this  Jacopo,  who  is,  haply,  a 
man  slandered." 

"  I  have  heard  of  slandering  a  priest,  for  they  are 
Christians,  bound  to  keep  good  names  for  the 
church's  honor,  but  to  utter  an  injury  against  a 
bravo,  would  a  little  exceed  the  tongue  of  an  av- 
vocato.  What  mattereth  it  whether  the  hand  be  a 
shade  deeper  in  color  or  not,  when  blood  is  on  it." 

"  Thou  sayest  truly,"  answered  the  pretended 
Roderigo,  drawing  a  heavy  breath.  It  mattereth 
little,  indeed,  to  him  condemned,  whether  the  sen 
tence  cometh  of  one,  or  of  many  crimes." 

"  Dost  know,  friend  Roderigo,  that  this  very  ar 
gument  hath  made  me  less  scrupulous  concerning 
the  freight  I  am  called  on  to  carry,  in  this  secret 
trade  of  ours.  Thou  art  fairly  in  the  senate's  busi 
ness,  worthy  Stefano,  I  say  to  myself,  and  there 
fore  the  less  reason  that  thou  should'st  be  particular 
in  the  quality  of  the  merchandise.  That  Jacopo 
hath  an  eye  and  a  scowl  that  would  betray  him, 
were  he  chosen  to  the  chair  of  St.  Peter  !  But  doff 
thy  mask,  Signor  Roderigo,  that  the  sea-air  may 
cool  thy  cheek ;  'tis  time  there  should  no  longer  be 
this  suspicion  between  old  and  tried  friends." 

"  My  duty  to  those  that  send  me  forbid  the  liberty, 
else  would  I  gladly  stand  face  to  face  with  thee, 
Master  Stefano." 

"  Well,  notwithstanding  thy  caution,  cunning  Sig- 
nore,  I  would  hazard  ten  of  the  sequins  thou  art  to 
pay  to  me,  that  I  will  go,  on  the  morrow,  into  the 
crowd  of  San  Marco,  and  challenge  thee,  openly, 
by  name,  among  a  thousand.  Thou  mayest  as  well 
unmask,  for  I  tell  thee  thou  art  as  well  known  to  me 
as  the  latine  yards  of  my  felucca." 

"  The  less  need  to  uncover.  There  are  certain 
signs,  no  doubt,  by  which  men  who  meet  so  often 
should  be  known  to  each  other." 

"  Thou  hast  a  goodly  countenance,  Signore,  and 


THE   BRAVO.  113 

the  less  need  to  hide  it.  I  have  noted  thee  among 
the  revellers,  when  thou  hast  thought  thyself  unseen, 
and  I  will  say  of  thee  this  much,  without  wish  to 
gain  aught  in  our  bargain,  one  of  appearance  fair 
as  thine,  Signor  Roderigo,  had  better  be  seen  open 
ly  than  go  thus  for  ever  behind  a  cloud." 

"  My  answer  hath  been  made.  What  the  state 
wills  cannot  be  overlooked ;  but  since  I  see  thou 
knowest  me,  take  heed  not  to  betray  thy  know 
ledge." 

"  Thou  would'st  not  be  more  safe  with  thy  con 
fessor.  Diamine !  I  am  not  a  man  to  gad  about 
among  the  water-sellers,  with  a  secret  at  the  top  of 
my  voice ;  but  thou  didst  leer  aside  when  I  winked 
at  thee  dancing  among  the  masquers  on  the  quay. 
Is  it  not  so,  Roderigo?" 

"  There  is  more  cleverness  in  thee,  Master  Stefa- 
no,  than  I  had  thought ;  though  thy  readiness  with 
the  felucca  is  no  secret." 

"  There  are  two  things,  Signor  Roderigo,  on 
which  I  value  myself,  but  always,  I  hope,  with  Chris 
tian  moderation.  As  a  mariner  of  the  coast,  in 
mistral  or  sirocco,  IPlanter  or  zephyr,  few  can 
claim  more  practice  ;  and  for  knowing  an  acquaint 
ance  in  a  carnival,  I  believe  the  father  of  evil  him 
self  could  not  be  so  disguised  that  eye  of  mine 
should  not  see  his  foot!  For  anticipating  a  gale,  or 
looking  behind  a  mask,  Signor  Roderigo,  I  know  not 
my  own  equal  among  men  of  small  learning." 

"These  faculties  are  great  gifts  in  one  who  liveth 
by  the  sea  and  a  critical  trade." 

"  Here  came  one  Gino,  a  gondolier  of  Don  Camil- 
lo  Monforte,  and  an  ancient  fellowr  of  mine,  aboard 
the  felucca,  attended  by  a  woman  in  mask.  He 
threw  off  the  girl  dexterously  enough,  and,  as  he 
thought,  among  strangers;  but  I  knew  her  at  a 
glance  for  the  daughter  of  a  wine-seller,  who  had 
already  tasted  lachryrnrc  christi  of  mine.  The 
K2 


114  THE   BRAVO. 

woman  was  angered  at  the  trick,  but  making  the 
best  of  luck,  we  drove  a  bargain  for  the  few  casks 
which  lay  beneath  the  ballast,  while  Gino  did  his 
master's  business  in  San  Marco." 

"  And  what  that  business  was  thou  didst  not  learn, 
good  Stefano  t" 

"  How  should  I,  Master  Roderigo,  when  the  gon 
dolier  scarce  left  time  for  greeting;  but  Anni- 
na " 

"  Annina!" 

"  The  same.  Thou  knowest  Annina,  old  Tom- 
maso's  daughter ;  for  she  danced  in  the  very  set  in 
which  I  detected  thy  countenance!  I  would  not 
speak  thus  of  the  girl,  but  that  I  know  thou  art  not 
backward  to  receive  liquors  that  do  not  visit  the 
custom-house,  thyself." 

"  For  that,  fear  nothing.  I  have  sworn  to  thee 
that  no  secret  of  this  nature  shall  pass  my  lips. 
But  this  Annina  is  a  girl  of  quick  wit  and  much 
boldness." 

"  Between  ourselves,  Signor  Roderigo,  it  is  not 
easy  to  tell  who  is  in  the  senate's  pay,  here  in  Venice, 
or  who  is  not.  I  have  soilfetimes  fancied,  by  thy 
manner  of  starting,  and  the  tones  of  thy  voice,  that 
thou  wert,  thyself,  no  less  than  the  lieutenant-general 
of  the  galleys,  a  little  disguised." 

"  And  this  with  thy  knowledge  of  men ! " 

"  If  faith  were  always  equal,  where  would  be  its 
merit?  Thou  hast  never  been  hotly  chased  by  an 
infidel,  Master  Roderigo,  or  thou  would'st  know 
how  the  mind  of  man  can  change  from  hope  to  fear, 
from  the  big  voice  to  the  humble  prayer !  I  remem 
ber  once,  in  the  confusion  and  hurry  of  baffling 
winds  and  whistling  shot,  having  always  turbans 
before  the  eye,  and  the  bastinado  in  mind,  to  have 
beseeched  St.  Stefano  in  some  such  voice  as  one 
would  use  to  a  dog,  and  to  have  bullied  the  men 
with  the  whine  of  a  young  kitten.  Corpo'  di  Bacco  ! 


THE   BRAVO.  115 

One  hath  need  of  experience  in  these  affairs,  Signer 
Roderigo,  to  know  even  his  own  merits." 

"  I  believe  thee.  But  who  is  this  Gino,  of  whom 
thou  hast  spoken,  and  what  has  his  occupation,  as 
a  gondolier,  to  do  with  one  known  in  thy  youth  in 
Calabria?" 

"  Therein  lie  matters  exceeding  my  knowledge. 
His  master,  and  I  may  say,  my  master,  for  I  was 
born  on  his  estates,  is  the  young  Duca  di  Sant' 
Agata, — the  same  that  pushes  his  fortunes  with  the 
senate,  in  a  claim  to  the  riches  and  honors  of  the 
last  Monforte  that  sat  in  thy  councils.  The  debate 
hath  so  long  endured,  that  the  lad  hath  made  him 
self  a  gondolier,  by  sheer  shoving  an  oar  between 
his  master's  palace  and  those  of  the  nobles  he  moves 
with  interest — at  least  such  is  Gino's  own  history 
of  his  education." 

"  I  know  the  man.  He  wears  the  colors  of  him 
he  serves.  Is  he  of  quick  wit?" 

"  Signor  Roderigo,  all  who  come  of  Calabria  can 
not  boast  that  advantage.  We  are  no  more  than 
our  neighbors,  and  there  are  exceptions  in  all  com 
munities,  as  in  all  families.  Gino  is  ready  enough 
with  his  oar,  and  as  good  a  youth,  in  his  way,  as 
need  be.  But  as  to  looking  into  things  beyond  their 
surface,  why  we  should  not  expect  the  delicacy  of 
a  becca  fica  in  a  goose.  Nature  makes  men,  though 
kings  make  nobles. — Gino  is  a  gondolier." 

"And  of  good  skill?" 

"  I  say  nothing  of  his  arm,  or  his  leg,  both  of 
which  are  well  enough  in  their  places ;  but  when  it 
comes  to  knowing  men  and  things — poor  Gino  is 
but  a  gondolier!  The  lad  hath  a  most  excellent 
heart,  and  is  never  backward  to  serve  a  friend.  I 
love  him,  but  thou  would'st  not  have  me  say  more 
than  the  truth  will  warrant." 

"  Well,  keep  thy  felucca  in  readiness,  for  we  know 
not  the  moment  it  may  be  needed." 


116  THE  BRAVO. 

"  Thou  hast  only  to  bring  thy  freight,  Signore,  to 
have  the  bargain  fulfilled." 

"  Adieu. — I  would  recommend  to  thee,  to  keep 
apart  from  all  other  trades,  and  to  see  that  the  rev 
elries  of  to-morrow  do  not  debauch  thy  people." 

"God  speed  thee,  Signor  Roderigo. — Naught 
shall  be  wanting." 

The  Bravo  stepped  into  his  gondola,  which  glided 
from  the  felucca's  side  with  a  facility  which  showed, 
that  an  arm,  skilled  in  its  use,  held  the  oar.  He 
waved  his  hand,  in  adieu  to  Stefano,  and  then  the 
boat  disappeared  among  the  hulls  that  crowded  the 
port. 

For  a  few  minutes  the  padrone  of  the  Bella  Sor- 
rentina  continued  to  pace  her  decks,  snuffing  the 
fresh  breeze  that  came  in  over  the  Lido,  and  then 
he  sought  his  rest.  By  this  time,  the  dark,  silent 
gondolas,  which  had  been  floating,  by  hundreds, 
through  the  basin,  were  all  gone.  The  sound  of 
music  was  heard  no  longer  on  the  canals,  and  Ven 
ice,  at  all  times  noiseless,  and  peculiar,  seemed  to 
sleep  the  sleep  of  the  dead. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  fisher  came 

From  his  green  islet,  bringing  o'er  the  waves 
His  wife  and  little  one  ;  the  husbandman 
From  the  firm  land,  with  many  a  friar  and  nun, 
And  village  maiden,  her  first  flight  from  home, 
Crowding  the  common  ferry. 

ROGERS. 

A  BRIGHTER  day  than  that  which  succeeded  the 
night  last  mentioned,  never  dawned  upon  the  massive 
domes,  the  gorgeous  palaces,  and  the  glittering  ca 
nals  of  Venice.  The  sun  had  not  been  long  above 


THE  BRAVO.  117 

the  level  of  the  Lido,  before  the  strains  of  horns  and 
trumpets  arose  from  the  square  of  St.  Mark.  They 
were  answered,  in  full  echoes,  from  the  distant  ar 
senal.  A  thousand  gondolas  glided  from  the  canals, 
stealing  in  every  direction  across  the  port,  the  Gui- 
decca,  and  the  various  outer  channels  of  the  place, 
while  the  well-known  routes,  from  Fusina  and  the 
neighboring  isles,  were  dotted  with  endless  lines  of 
boats,  urging  their  way  towards  the  capital. 

The  citizens  began  to  assemble  early,  in  their 
holiday  attire,  while  thousands  of  contadini  landed 
at  the  different  bridges,  clad  in  the  gay  costumes  of 
the  main.  Before  the  day  had  far  advanced,  all  the 
avenues  of  the  great  square  were  again  thronged, 
and  by  the  time  the  bells  of  the  venerable  cathedral 
had  finished  a  peal  of  high  rejoicing,  St.  Mark's 
again  teemed  with  its  gay  multitude.  Few  appear 
ed  in  masks,  but  pleasure  seemed  to  lighten  every 
eye,  while  the  frank  and  unconcealed  countenance 
willingly  courted  the  observation  and  sympathy  of 
its  neighbors.  In  short,  Venice  and  her  people  were 
seen,  in  all  the  gaiety  and  carelessness  of  a  favorite 
Italian  festa.  The  banners  of  the  conquered  nations 
flapped  heavily  on  the  triumphal  masts,  each  church- 
tower  hung  out  its  image  of  the  winged  lion,  and 
every  palace  was  rich  in  its  hangings  of  tapestry 
and  silk,  floating  from  balcony  and  window. 

In  the  midst  of  this  exhilarating  and  bright  spec 
tacle  was  heard  the  din  of  a  hundred  thousand 
voices.  Above  the  constant  hum,  there  arose,  from 
time  to  time,  the  blasts  of  trumpets  and  the  sympho 
nies  of  rich  music.  Here  the  improvisatore,  secretly 
employed  by  a  politic  and  mysterious  government, 
recounted,  with  a  rapid  utterance,  and  in  language 
suited  to  the  popular  ear,  at  the  foot  of  the  spars 
which  upheld  the  conquered  banners  of  Candia» 
Crete,  and  the  Morea,  the  ancient  triumphs  of  the 
republic ;  while,  there,  a  ballad-singer  chaunted,  to 


118  THE    BRAVO. 

the  greedy  crowd,  the  glory  and  justice  of  San 
Marco.  Shouts  of  approbation  succeeded  each 
happy  allusion  to  the  national  renown,  and  bravos, 
loud  and  oft-repeated,  were  the  reward  of  the  agents 
of  the  police,  whenever  they  most  administered  to 
the  self-delusion  and  vanity  of  their  audience. 

In  the  mean  time,  gondolas  rich  in  carvings  and 
gildings,  and  containing  females  renowned  for  grace 
and  beauty,  began  to  cluster,  in  hundreds,  around 
the  port.  A  general  movement  had  already  taken 
place  among  the  shipping,  and  a  wide  and  clear 
channel  was  opened  from  the  quay,  at  the  foot  of 
the  Piazzetta,  to  the  distant  bank,  which  shut  out  the 
waves  of  the  Adriatic.  Near  this  watery  path, 
boats  of  all  sizes  and  descriptions,  filled  writh  the 
curious  and  observant,  were  fast  collecting. 

The  crowd  thickened  as  the  day  drew  in,  all  the 
vast  plains  of  the  Padovano  appearing  to  have  given 
up  their  people  to  swell  the  numbers  of  those  that 
rejoiced.  A  few  timid  and  irresolute  masquers  now 
began  to  appear  in  the  throng,  stealing  a  momentary 
pleasure  under  the  favor  of  that  privileged  disguise, 
from  out  of  the  seclusion  and  monotony  of  their 
cloisters.  Next  came  the  rich  marine  equipages  of 
the  accredited  agents  of  foreign  states,  and  then, 
amid  the  sound  of  clarions  and  the  cries  of  the  pop 
ulace,  the  Bucentaur  rowed  out  of  the  channel  of 
the  arsenal,  and  came  sweeping  to  her  station,  at 
the  quay  of  St.  Mark. 

These  preliminaries,  which  occupied  some  hours, 
being  observed,  the  javelin-men,  and  others  employ 
ed  about  the  person  of  the  head  of  the  republic,  were 
seen  opening  an  avenue  through  the  throng.  After 
which,  the  rich  strains  of  a  hundred  instruments, 
proclaimed  the  approach  of  the  doge. 

We  shall  not  detain  the  narrative,  to  describe  the 
pomp  in  which  a  luxurious  and  affluent  aristocracy, 
that  in  general  held  itself  aloof  from  familiar  inter- 


THE   BRAVO.  119 

course  with  those  it  ruled,  displayed  its  magnificence 
to  the  eyes  of  the  multitude,  on  an  occasion  of  pop* 
ukir  rejoicing.  Long  lines  of  senators,  dressed  in 
their  robes  of  office,  and  attended  by  crowds  of 
liveried  followers,  came  from  under  the  galleries  of 
the  palace,  and  descended  by  the  Giant's  Stairway, 
into  the  sombre  court.  Thence,  the  whole  issued 
into  the  Piazzetta,  in  order,  and  proceeded  to  their 
several  stations,  on  the  canopied  deck  of  the  well- 
known  bark.  Each  patrician  had  his  allotted  place, 
and  before  the  rear  of  the  cortege  had  yet  quitted 
the  quay,  there  was  a  long  and  imposing  row  of 
grave  legislators  seated  in  the  established  order  of 
their  precedency.  The  ambassadors,  the  high  dig 
nitaries  of  the  state,  and  the  aged  man,  who  had 
been  chosen  to  bear  the  empty  honors  of  sovereign 
ty,  still  remained  on  the  land,  waiting,  with  the  quiet 
of  trained  docility,  the  moment  to  embark.  At  this 
moment,  a  man  of  an  embrowned  visage,  legs  bare 
to  the  knee,  and  breast  open  to  the  breeze,  rushed 
through  the  guards,  and  knelt  on  the  stones  of  the 
quay,  at  his  feet. 

"Justice! — great  prince!"  cried  the  bold  stran 
ger;  "justice  and  mercy!  Listen  to  one,  who  has 
bled  for  St.  Mark,  and  who  hath  his  scars  for  his 
witnesses." 

"  Justice  and  mercy  are  not  always  companions," 
calmly  observed  he,  who  wore  the  horned  bonnet, 
motioning  to  his  officious  attendants  to  let  the  intru 
der  stay. 

"  Mighty  prince  !  I  come  for  the  last." 

"  Who  and  what  art  thou?" 

"  A  fisherman  of  the  Lagunes.  One  named  An 
tonio,  who  seeketh  the  liberty  of  the  pr6p  of  his 
years — a  glorious  boy,  that  force  and  the  policy  of 
the  state  have  torn  from  me." 

"  This  should  not  be !    Violence  is  not  the  attri- 


120  THE  BRAVO. 

bute  of  justice — but  the  youth  hath  offended  the 
laws,  and  he  suffereth  for  his  crimes?" 

"  He  is  guilty,  Excellent  and  most  Serene  High 
ness,  of  youth,  and  health,  and  strength,  with  some 
skill  in  the  craft  of  the  mariner.  They  have  taken 
him,  without  warning  or  consent,  for  the  service  of 
the  galleys,  and  have  left  me  in  my  age,  alone." 

The  expression  of  pity,  which  had  taken  posses 
sion  of  the  venerable  features  of  the  prince,  changed 
instantly  to  a  look  of  uneasiness  and  distrust.  The 
eye,  which  just  before  had  melted  with  compassion, 
became  cold  and  set  in  its  meaning,  and  signing  to 
his  guards,  he  bowed  with  dignity  to  the  attentive 
and  curious  auditors,  among  the  foreign  agents,  to 
proceed. 

"  Bear  him  away,"  said  an  officer,  who  took  his 
master's  meaning  from  the  glance;  "the  ceremonies 
may  not  be  retarded,  for  a  prayer  so  idle." 

Antonio  offered  no  resistance,  but  yielding  to  the 
pressure  of  those  around  him,  he  sunk  back  meekly, 
among  the  crowd,  disappointment  and  sorrow  giv 
ing  place,  for  an  instant,  to  an  awe  and  an  admira 
tion  of  the  gorgeous  spectacle,  that  were  perhaps  in 
some  degree  inseparable  from  his  condition  and 
habits.  In  a  few  moments,  the  slight  interruption 
produced  by  this  short  scene,  was  forgotten  in  the 
higher  interest  of  the  occasion. 

When  the  ducal  party  had  taken  their  places,  and 
an  admiral  of  reputation  was  in  possession  of  the 
helm,  the  vast  and  gorgeous  bark,  with  its  gilded 
galleries  thronged  with  attendants,  swept  away  from 
the  quay,  with  a  grand  and  stately  movement.  Its 
departure  was  the  signal  for  a  new  burst  of  trum 
pets  and  clarions,  and  for  fresh  acclamations  from 
the  people.  The  latter  rushed  to  the  edge  of  the 
water,  and  by  the  time  the  Bucentaur  had  reached 
the  middle  of  the  port,  the  stream  was  black  with 
the  gondolas  that  followed  in  her  train.  In  this 


THE   BRAVO.  121 

manner  did  the  gay  and  shouting  cortege  sweep  on, 
some  darting  ahead  of  the  principal  bark,  and  some 
clinging,  like  smaller  fish  swimming  around  the  levi 
athan,  as  near  to  her  sides,  as  the  fall  of  the  pon 
derous  oars  would  allow.  As  each  effort  of  the  crew 
sent  the  galley  farther  from  the  land,  the  living  train 
seemed  to  extend  itself,  by  some  secret  principle  of 
expansion ;  nor  wras  the  chain  of  its  apparent  con 
nexion  entirely  broken,  until  the  Bucentaur  had 
passed  the  island,  long  famous  for  its  convent  of  re 
ligious  Armenians.  Here  the  movement  became 
slower,  in  order  to  permit  the  thousand  gondolas 
to  approach,  and  then,  the  whole  moved  forward, 
in  nearly  one  solid  phalanx,  to  the  landing  of  the 
Lido. 

The  marriage  of  the  Adriatic,  as  the  ceremony 
was  quaintly  termed,  has  been  too  often  described 
to  need  a  repetition  here.  Our  business  is  rather 
with  incidents  of  a  private  and  personal  nature  than 
with  descriptions  of  public  events,  and  we  shall  pass 
over  all  that  has  no  immediate  connexion  with  the 
interest  of  the  tale. 

When  the  Bucentaur  became  stationary,  a  space 
around  her  stern  was  cleared,  and  the  doge  appear 
ed  in  a  rich  gallery,  so  constructed  as  to  exhibit  the 
action  to  all  in  sight.  He  held  a  ring,  glittering 
with  precious  stones,  on  high,  and,  pronouncing  the 
words  of  betrothal,  he  dropped  it  upon  the  bosom 
of  his  fancied  spouse.  Shouts  arose,  trumpets  blew 
their  blasts,  and  each  lady  waved  her  handkerchief, 
in  felicitation  of  the  happy  union.  In  the  midst  of 
the  fracas — which  was  greatly  heightened  by  the 
roar  of  cannon  on  board  the  cruisers  in  the  channel, 
and  from  the  guns  in  the  arsenal — a  boat  glided  into 
the  open  space  beneath  the  gallery  of  the  Bucentaur. 
The  movement  of  the  arm  which  directed  the  light 
gondola  was  dexterous  and  still  strong,  though  the 
hairs  of  him  who  held  the  oar  were  thin  and  white. 

VOL.  I.  L 


122  THE    BRAVO. 

A  suppliant  eye  was  cast  up  at  the  happy  faces  that 
adorned  the  state  of  the  prince,  and  then  the  look 
was  changed  intently  to  the  water.  A  small  fisher 
man's  buoy  fell  from  the  boat,  which  glided  away 
so  soon,  that,  amid  the  animation  and  uproar  of 
that  moment,  the  action  was  scarce  heeded  by  the 
excited  throng. 

The  aquatic  procession  now  returned  towards 
the  city,  the  multitude  rending  the  air  with  shouts 
at  the  happy  termination  of  a  ceremony,  to  which 
time  and  the  sanction  of  the  sovereign  pontiff  had 
given  a  species  of  sanctity  that  was  somewhat  in 
creased  by  superstition.  It  is  true  that  a  few  among 
the  Venetians  themselves  regarded  these  famous 
nuptials  of  the  Adriatic  with  indifference ;  and  that 
several  of  the  ministers  of  the  northern  and  more 
maritime  states,  who  were  witnesses  on  the  occa 
sion,  had  scarcely  concealed,  as  they  cast  glances 
of  intelligence  and  pride  among  themselves,  their 
smiles.  Still,  such  was  the  influence  of  habit,  for  so 
much  does  even  arrogant  assumption,  when  long 
and  perseveringly  maintained,  count  among  men, 
that  neither  the  increasing  feebleness  of  the  republic, 
nor  the  known  superiority  of  other  powers  on  the 
very  element  which  this  pageant  was  intended  to 
represent  as  the  peculiar  property  of  St.  Mark,  could 
yet  cover  the  lofty  pretension  with  the  ridicule  it 
merited.  Time  has  since  taught  the  world  that 
Venice  continued  this  idle  deception  for  ages  after 
both  reason  and  modesty  should  have  dictated  its 
discontinuance;  but,  at  the  period  of  which  we 
write,  that  ambitious,  crapulous,  and  factitious  state 
was  rather  beginning  to  feel  the  symptomatic  evi 
dence  of  its  fading  circumstances,  than  to  be  fully 
conscious  of  the  swift  progress  of  a  downward 
course.  In  this  manner  do  communities,  like  indi 
viduals,  draw  near  their  dissolution,  inattentive  to 
the  symptoms  of  decay,  until  they  are  overtaken 


THE  BRAVO.  123 

with  that  fate,  which  finally  overwhelms  empires 
and  their  power  in  the  common  lot  of  man. 

The  Bucentaur  did  not  return  directly  to  the 
quay,  to  disburthen  itself  of  its  grave  and  dignified 
load.  The  gaudy  galley  anchored  in  the  centre  of 
the  port,  and  opposite  to  the  wide  mouth  of  the 
great  canal.  Officers  had  been  busy,  throughout 
the  morning,  in  causing  all  the  shipping  and  heavy 
boats,  of  which  hundreds  lay  in  that  principal  artery 
of  the  city,  to  remove  from  the  centre  of  the  pass 
age,  and  heralds  now  summoned  the  citizens  to  wit 
ness  the  regatta,  with  which  the  public  ceremonies 
of  the  day  were  to  terminate. 

Venice,  from  her  peculiar  formation  and  the  vast 
number  of  her  watermen,  had  long  been  celebrated 
for  this  species  of  amusement.  Families  were 
known  and  celebrated  in  her  traditions  for  dexter 
ous  skill  with  the  oar,  as  they  were  known  in  Rome 
for  feats  of  a  far  less  useful  and  of  a  more  barbar 
ous  nature.  It  was  usual  to  select  from  these  races 
of  watermen  the  most  vigorous  and  skilful ;  and, 
after  invoking  the  aid  of  patron-saints,  and  arousing 
their  pride  and  recollections  by  songs  that  recounted 
the  feats  of  their  ancestors,  to  start  them  for  the 
goal,  with  every  incitement  that  pride  and  the  love 
of  victory  could  awaken. 

Most  of  these  ancient  usages  were  still  observed. 
As  soon  as  the  Bucentaur  was  in  its  station,  some 
thirty  or  forty  gondoliers  were  brought  forth,  clad 
in  their  gayest  habiliments,  and  surrounded  and  sup 
ported  by  crowds  of  anxious  friends  and  relatives. 
The  intended  competitors  wrere  expected  to  sustain 
the  long-established  reputations  of  their  several 
names,  and  they  were  admonished  of  the  disgrace 
of  defeat.  They  were  cheered  by  the  men,  and 
stimulated  by  the  smiles  and  tears  of  the  other  sex. 
The  rewards  were  recalled  to  their  minds ;  they 
were  fortified  by  prayers  to  the  saints ;  and  then 


124  THE    BRAVO. 

they  were  dismissed,  amid  the  cries  and  the  wishes 
of  the  multitude,  to  seek  their  allotted  places  beneath 
the  stern  of  the  galley  of  state. 

It  has  already  been  mentioned  in  these  pages,  that 
the  city  of  Venice  is  divided  into  two  nearly  equal 
parts  by  a  channel  much  broader  than  that  of  the 
ordinary  passages  of  the  town.  This  dividing 
artery,  from  its  superior  size  and  depth,  and  its 
greater  importance,  is  called  the  grand  canal.  Its 
course  is  not  unlike  that  of  an  undulating  line,  which 
greatly  increases  its  length.  As  it  is  much  used  by 
the  larger  boats  of  the  bay — being,  in  fact,  a  sort 
of  secondary  port — and  its  width  is  so  considerable, 
it  has  throughout  the  whole  distance  but  one  bridge 
— the  celebrated  Rialto.  The  regatta  was  to  be 
held  on  this  canal,  which  offered  the  requisites  of 
length  and  space,  and  which,  as  it  was  lined  with 
most  of  the  palaces  of  the  principal  senators,  afford 
ed  all  the  facilities  necessary  for  viewing  the  strug 
gle. 

In  passing  from  one  end  of  this  long  course  to  the 
other,  the  men  destined  for  the  race  were  not  per 
mitted  to  make  any  exertion.  Their  eyes  roamed 
over  the  gorgeous  hangings,  which,  as  is  still  wont 
throughout  Italy  on  all  days  of  festa,  floated  from 
every  window,  and  on  groups  of  females  in  rich  at 
tire,  brilliant  with  the  peculiar  charms  of  the  famed 
Venetian  beauty,  that  clustered  in  the  balconies. 
Those  who  were  domestics,  rose  and  answered  to 
the  encouraging  signals  thrown  from  above,  as  they 
passed  the  palaces  of  their  masters  ;  while  those 
who  were  watermen  of  the  public,  endeavored  to 
gather  hope  among  the  sympathizing  faces  of  the 
multitude. 

At  length  every  formality  had  been  duly  observed, 
and  the  competitors  assumed  their  places.  The 
gondolas  were  much  larger  than  those  commonly 
used,  and  each  was  manned  by  three  watermen,  in 


THE    BRAVO.  1&> 

the  centre,  directed  by  a  fourth,  who,  standing  on 
the  little  deck  in  the  stern,  steered,  while  he  aided  to 
impel  the  boat.  There  were  light,  low  staffs  in  the 
bows,  with  flags,  that  bore  the  distinguishing  colors 
of  several  noble  families  of  the  republic,  or  which 
had  such  other  simple  devices  as  had  been  suggest 
ed  by  the  fancies  of  those  to  whom  they  belonged. 
A  few  flourishes  of  the  oars,  resembling  the  prepar 
atory  movements  which  the  master  of  fence  makes 
ere  he  begins  to  push  and  parry,  were  given;  a 
whirling  of  the  boats,  like  the  prancing  of  curbed 
racers,  succeeded ;  and  then  at  the  report  of  a  gun, 
the  whole  darted  away  as  if  the  gondolas  were  im 
pelled  by  volition.  The  start  was  followed  by  a 
shout,  which  passed  swiftly  along  the  canal,  and  an 
eager  agitation  of  heads  that  went  from  balcony  to 
balcony,  till  the  sympathetic  movement  was  commu 
nicated  to  the  grave  load  under  which  the  Buccri- 
taur  labored. 

For  a  few  minutes  the  difference  in  force  and 
skill  was  not  very  obvious.  Each  gondola  glided 
along  the  element,  apparently  with  that  ease  with 
which  a  light-winged  swallow  skims  the  lake,  and 
with  no  visible  advantage  to  any  one  of  the  ten. 
Then,  as  more  art  in  him  who  sfeered,  or  greater 
powers  of  endurance  in  those  who  rowed,  or  some 
of  the  latent  properties  of  the  boat  itself,  came  into 
service,  the  cluster  of  little  barks,  which  had  come 
off  like  a  closely-united  flock  of  birds  taking  flight 
together  in  alarm,  began  to  open,  till  they  formed  a 
long  and  vacillating  line,  in  the  centre  of  the  pas 
sage.  The  whole  train  shot  beneath  the  bridge,  so 
near  each  other  as  to  render  it  still  doubtful  wrhich 
was  to  conquer,  and  the  exciting  strife  came  more 
in  view  of  the  principal  personages  of  the  city. 

But  here  those  radical  qualities,  which  insure 
success  in  efforts  of  this  nature,  manifested  them 
selves.  The  weaker  began  to  yield,  the  train  to 
L2 


126  THE   BRAVO- 

lengthen,  and  hopes  and  fears  to  increase,  until 
those  in  the  front  presented  the  exhilarating  specta 
cle  of  success,  while  those  behind  offered  the  still 
more  noble  sight  of  men  struggling  without  hope. 
Gradually  the  distances  between  the  boats  increased, 
while  that  between  them  and  the  goal  grew  rapidly 
less,  until  three  of  those  in  advance  came  in,  like 
glancing  arrowrs,  beneath  the  stern  of  the  Bucen- 
taur,  with  scarce  a  length  between  them.  The 
prize  was  won,  the  conquerors  were  rewarded,  and 
the  artillery  gave  forth  the  usual  signals  of  rejoicing. 
Music  answered  to  the  roar  of  cannon  and  the  peals 
of  bells,  while  sympathy  with  success,  that  predom 
inant  and  so  often  dangerous  principle  of  our  nature, 
drew  shouts  even  from  the  disappointed. 

The  clamor  ceased,  and  a  herald  proclaimed 
aloud  the  commencement  of  a  new  and  a  different 
struggle.  The  last,  and  what  might  be  termed  the 
national  race,  had  been  limited,  by  an  ancient 
usage,  to  the  known  and  recognized  gondoliers  of 
Venice.  The  prize  had  been  awarded  by  the  state, 
and  the  whole  affair  had  somewhat  of  an  official 
and  political  character.  It  \vas  now  announced, 
however,  that  a  race  was  to  be  run,  in  which  the 
reward  was  open  to  all  competitors,  without  ques 
tion  as  to  their  origin,  or  as  to  their  ordinary  occu 
pations.  An  oar  of  gold,  to  wrhich  was  attached  a 
chain  of  the  same  precious  metal,  was  exhibited  as 
the  boon  of  the  doge  to  him  who  showed  most  dex 
terity  and  strength  in  this  new  struggle ;  while  a 
similar  ornament  of  silver  was  to  be  the  portion  of 
him,  who  showed  the  second-best  dexterity  and  bot 
tom.  A  mimic  boat,  of  less  precious  metal,  was 
the  third  prize.  The  gondolas  were  to  be  the  usual 
light  vehicles  of  the  canals,  and  as  the  object  was 
to  display  the  peculiar  skill  of  that  city  of  islands, 
but  one  oarsman  was  allowed  to  each,  on  whom 
would  necessarily  fall  the  whole  duty  of  guiding. 


THE   BRAVO.  127 

while  he  impelled  his  little  bark.  Any  of  those  who 
had  been  engaged  in  the  previous  trial  were  admit 
ted  to  this ;  and  all  desirous  of  taking  part  in  the 
new  struggle  were  commanded  to  come  beneath  the 
stern  of  the  Bucentaur,  within  a  prescribed  number 
of  minutes,  that  note  might  be  had  of  their  wishes. 
As  notice  of  this  arrangement  had  been  previously 
given,  the  interval  between  the  two  races  was  not 
long. 

The  first  who  came  out  of  the  crowd  of  boats, 
which  environed  the  vacant  place  that  had  been  left 
for  the  competitors,  was  a  gondolier  of  the  public 
landing,  well  known  for  his  skill  with  the  oar,  and 
his  song  on  the  canal. 

"  How  art  thou  called,  and  in  whose  name  dost 
thou  put  thy  chance?"  demanded  the  herald  of  this 
aquatic  course. 

"  All  know  me  for  Bartolomeo,  one  who  lives  be 
tween  the  Piazzetta  and  the  Lido,  and,  like  a  loyal 
Venetian,  I  trust  in  San  Teodoro." 

"Thou  art  well  protected;  take  thy  place,  and 
await  thy  fortune." 

The  conscious  waterman  swept  the  \vater  with  a 
back  stroke  of  his  blade,  and  the  light'  gondola 
whirled  away  into  the  centre  of  the  vacant  spot,  like 
a  swan  giving  a  sudden  glance  aside. 

"And  who  art  thou?"  demanded  the  official  of 
the  next  that  came. 

"  Enrico,  a  gondolier  of  Fusina.  I  come  to  try 
my  oar  with  the  braggarts  of  the  canals." 

"  In  whom  is  thy  trust?" 

"  Sant*  Antonio  di  Padua." 

"  Thou  wilt  need  his  aid,  though  wre  commend 
thy  spirit.  Enter,  and  take  place." — "  And  who  art 
thou?"  he  continued,  to  another,  when  the  second 
had  imitated  the  easy  skill  of  the  first. 

"  I  am  called  Gino  of  Calabria,  a  gondolier  in 
private  service." 


128  THE    BRAVO. 

"  What  noble  retaineth  thee  ?"  ji, 

"  The  illustrious  and  most  excellent  Don  Camillo 
Monforte,  Duca  and  Lord  of  Sant'  Agata  in  Napoli,'-  * 
and  of  right  a  senator  in  Venice." 

"  Thou  should'st  have  come  of  Padua,  friend,  by.  * 
thy  knowledge  of  the  laws !  Dost  thou  trust  in  himV 
thou  servest  for  the  victory?"  •:> 

There  was  a  movement  among  the  senators  at  * 
the  answer  of  Gino ;  raid  the  half-terrified  varlet 
thought  he  perceived  frowns  gathering  on  more 
than  one  brow.  He  looked  around  in  quest  of  hiln 
whose  greatness  he  had  vaunted,  as  if  he  sought 
succor. 

"  Wilt  thou  name  thy  support  in  this  great  trial 
of  force  ?"  resumed  the  herald. 

"My  master,"  uttered  the  terrified  Gino,  "St. 
Januarius,  and  St.  Mark." 

"  Thou  art  well  defended.  Should  the  two  latter 
fail  thee,  thou  mayest  surely  count  on  the  first!" 

"  Signer  Monforte  has  an  illustrious  name,  <and 
he  is  welcome  to  our  Venetian  sports,"  observed  the 
doge,  slightly  bending  his  head  towards  the  young 
Calabrian  noble,  who  stood  at  no  great  distance,  in 
a  gondola"  of  state,  regarding  the  scene  with  a  deep 
ly-interested  countenance.  This  cautious  interrup 
tion  of  the  pleasantries  of  the  official  was  acknow 
ledged  by  a  low  reverence,  and  the  matter  pro 
ceeded. 

"  Take  thy  station,  Gino  of  Calabria,  and  a  happy 
fortune  be  thine,"  said  the  latter ;  then  turning  to 
another,  he  asked  in  surprise — "Why  art  thou 
here?" 

"  I  come  to  try  my  gondola's  swiftness." 

"  Thou  art  old,  and  unequal  to  this  struggle ;  hus 
band  thy  strength  for  daily  toil.  An  ill-advised  am 
bition  hath  put  thee  on  this  useless  trial." 

The  new  aspirant  had  forced  a  common  fisher 
man's  gondola,  of  no  bad  shape,  and  of  sufficient 


THE   BRAVO.       V  129 

lightness,  but  which  bore  about  it  all  the  vulgar 
signs  of  its  daily  uses,  beneath  the  gallery  of  the 
Bucentaur.  He  received  the  reproof  meekly,  and 
was  about  to  turn  his  boat  aside,  though  with  a  sor 
rowing  and  mortified  eye,  when  a  sign  from  the 
doge  arrested  his  arm. 

"  Question  him,  as  of  wont,"  said  the  prince. 

"  How  art  thou  named  ?"  continued  the  reluctant 
official,  who,  like  all  of  subordinate  condition,  had 
far  more  jealousy  of  the  dignity  of  the  sports  he  di 
rected,  than  his  superior. 

"  I  am  known  as  Antonio,  a  fisherman  of  the  La- 
gunes." 

"Thou  art  old!" 

"  Signore,  none  know  it  better  than  I.  It  is  sixty 
summers  since  I  first  threw  net,  or  line,  into  the 
water." 

"  Nor  art  thou  clad,  as  befitteth  one  who  cometh 
before  the  state  of  Venice,  in  a  regatta." 

"  I  am  here  in  the  best  that  I  have.  Let  them, 
who  would  do  the  nobles  greater  honor,  come  in 
better." 

"  Thy  limbs  are  uncovered — thy  bosom  bare — thy 
sinews  feeble — go  to ;  thou  art  ill  advised  to  inter 
rupt  the  pleasures  of  the  nobles,  by  this  levity." 

Again  Antonio  would  have  shrunk  from  the  ten 
thousand  eyes  that  shone  upon  him,  when  the  calm 
voice  of  the  doge  once  more  came  to  his  aid. 

"  The  struggle  is  open  to  all,"  said  the  sovereign ; 
"  still  I  would  advise  the  poor  and  aged  man  to  take 
counsel ;  give  him  silver,  for  want  urges  him  to  this 
hopeless  trial." 

"  Thou  hearest ;  alms  are  offered  thee ;  but  give 
place  to  those  who  are  stronger,  and  more  seemly, 
for  the  sport." 

"  I  will  obey,  as  is  the  duty  of  one  born  and  ac 
customed  to  poverty.  They  said  the  race  was  open 


130  THE   BRAVO. 

to  all,  and  I  crave  the  pardon  of  the  nobles,  since  I 
meant  to  do  them  no  dishonor." 

"  Justice  in  the  palace,  and  justice  on  the  canals," 
hastily  observed  the  prince.  "  If  he  will  continue, 
it  is  his  right.  It  is  the  pride  of  St.  Mark  that  his 
balances  are  held  with  an  even  hand." 

A  murmur  of  applause  succeeded  the  specious 
sentiment  j  for  the  powerful  rarely  affect  the  noble 
attribute  of  justice,  however  limited  may  be  its  ex 
ercise,  without  their  words  finding  an  echo  in  the 
tongues  of  the  selfish. 

"  Thou  hearest — His  Highness,  who  is  the  voice 
of  a  mighty  state,  says  thou  mayest  remain; — 
though  thou  art  still  advised  to  withdraw." 

"  I  will  then  see  what  virtue  is  left  in  this  naked 
arm,"  returned  Antonio,  casting  a  mournful  glance, 
and  one  that  was  not  entirely  free  from  the  latent 
vanity  of  man,  at  his  meagre  and  threadbare  attire, 
"  The  limb  hath  its  scars,  but  the  infidels  may  have 
spared  enough,  for  the  little  I  ask." 

"  In  whom  is  thy  faith  ?" 

"Blessed  St.  Anthony,  of  the  Miraculous 
Draught." 

"  Take  thy  place. — Ha  !  here  cometh  one  unwill 
ing  to  be  known  !  How  now !  who  appears  with  so 
false  a  face?" 

"  Call  me,  Mask." 

"  So  neat  and  just  a  leg  and  arm,  need  not  have 
hid  their  fellow,  the  countenance.  Is  it  Your  High- 
ness's  pleasure  that  one  disguised  should  be  entered 
for  the  sports?" 

"  Doubt  it  not.  A  mask  is  sacred  in  Venice.  It 
is  the  glory  of  our  excellent  and  wise  laws,  that  he 
who  seeketh  to  dwell  within  the  privacy  of  his  own 
thoughts,  and  to  keep  aloof  from  curiosity  by  shad 
owing  his  features,  rangeth  our  streets  and  canals, 
as  if  he  dwelt  in  the  security  of  his  own  abode. 
Such  are  the  high  privileges  of  liberty,  and  such  it 


THE   BRAVO.  131 

is  to  be  a  citizen  of  a  generous,  a  magnanimous, 
and  a  free  state ! " 

A  thousand  bowed  in  approbation  of  the  senti 
ment,  and  &  rumor  passed,  from  mouth  to  mouth, 
that  a  young  noble  was  about  to  try  his  strength, 
in  the  regatta,  in  compliment  to  some  wayward 
beauty. 

"  Such  is  justice !"  exclaimed  the  herald,  in  a  loud 
voice,  admiration  apparently  overcoming  respect,  in 
the  ardor  of  the  moment.  "Happy  is  he  that  is 
born  in  Venice,  and  envied  are  the  people  in  whose 
councils,  wisdom  and  mercy  preside,  like  lovely  and 
benignant  sisters  !  On  whom  dost  thou  rely  I " 

"  Mine  own  arm." 

"  Ha  !  This  is  impious  !  None  so  presuming  may 
enter  into  these  privileged  sports." 

The  hurried  exclamation  of  the  herald  was  ac 
companied  by  a  general  stir,  such  as  denotes  sudden 
and  strong  emotion  in  a  multitude. 

"  The  children  of  the  republic  are  protected  by  an 
even  hand,"  observed  the  venerable  prince.  "  It 
formeth  our  just  pride,  and  blessed  St.  Mark  forbid 
that  aught  resembling  vain-glory  should  be  uttered! 
but  it  is  truly  our  boast  that  we  know  no  difference 
between  our  subjects  of  the  islands,  or  those  of  the 
Dalmatian  coast ;  between  Padua,  or  Candia ;  Corfu, 
or  St.  Giorgio.  Still  it  is  not  permitted  for  any  to 
refuse  the  intervention  of  the  saints." 
, "  Name  thy  patron,  or  quit  the  place,"  continued 
the  observant  herald,  anew. 

The  stranger  paused,  as  if  he  looked  into  his 
mind,  and  then  he  answered — 

"  San  Giovanni  of  the  Wilderness." 

"  Thou  namest  one  of  blessed  memory!" 

"  I  name  him  who  may  have  pity  on  me,  in  this 
living  desert." 

"  The  temper  of  thy  soul  is  best  known  to  thyself, 
but  this  reverend  rank  of  patricians,  yonder  brilliant 


132  THE    BRAVO. 

show  of  beauty,  and  that  goodly  multitude,  may 
claim  another  name. — Take  thy  place." 

While  the  herald  proceeded  to  take  the  names  of 
three  or  four  more  applicants,  all  gondoliers  in  pri 
vate  service,  a  murmur  ran  through  the  spectators, 
which  proved  how  much  their  interest  and  curiosity 
had  been  awakened,  by  the  replies  and  appearance 
of  the  two  last  competitors.  In  the  mean  time,  the 
young  nobles  who  entertained  those  who  came  last, 
began  to  move  among  the  throng  of  boats,  with  the 
intention  of  making  such  manifestations  of  their 
gallant  desires,  and  personal  devotion,  as  suited  the 
customs  and  opinions  of  the  age.  The  list  was  now 
proclaimed  to  be  full,  and  the  gondolas  were  towed 
off,  as  before,  towards  the  starting  point,  leaving  the 
place,  beneaLh  the  stern  of  the  Bucentaur,  vacant. 
The  scene  that  followed,  consequently  passed  direct 
ly  before  the  eyes  of  those  grave  men,  who  charged 
themselves  with  most  of  the  private  interests,  as 
well  as  with  the  public  concerns  of  Venice. 

There  were  many  unmasked  and  high-born  dames, 
whirling  about  in  their  boats,  attended  by  cavaliers 
in  rich  attire,  and,  here  and  there,  appeared  a  pair 
of  dark  lustrous  eyes,  peeping  through  the  silk  of  a 
visor,  that  concealed  some  countenance  too  youthful 
for  exposure,  in  so  gay  a  scene.  One  gondola,  in 
particular,  was  remarked  for  the  singular  grace  and 
beauty  of  the  form  it  held,  qualities  which  made 
themselves  apparent,  even  through  the  half-disguise 
of  the  simple  habiliments  she  wore.  The  boat,  the 
servants,  and  the  ladies,  for  there  were  two,  were 
alike  distinguished  for  that  air  of  severe  but  finished 
simplicity,  which  oftener  denotes  the  presence  of 
high  quality  and  true  taste,  than  a  more  lavish  ex 
penditure  of  vulgar  ornament.  A  Carmelite,  whose 
features  were  concealed  by  his  cowl,  testified  that 
their  condition  was  high,  and  lent  a  dignity  to  their 
presence,  by  his  reverend  and  grave  protection.  A 


THE  BRAVO.  133 

hundred  gondolas  approached  this  party,  and  after 
as  many  fruitless  efforts  to  penetrate  the  disguises, 
glided  away,  while  whispers  and  interrogatories 
passed  from  one  to  the  other,  to  learn  the  name  and 
station  of  the  youthful  beauty.  At  length,  a  gay 
bark,  with  watermen  in  gorgeous  liveries,  and  in 
whose  equipment  there  was  a  studied  display  of 
magnificence,  came  into  the  little  circle  that  curiosi 
ty  had  drawn  together.  The  single  cavalier,  who 
occupied  the  seat,  arose,  for  few  gondolas  appeared 
that  day  with  their  gloomy-looking  and  mysterious 
pavilions,  and  saluted  the  masked  females,  with  the 
ease  of  one  accustomed  to  all  presences,  but  \vith 
the  reserve  of  deep  respect. 

"  I  have  a  favorite  follower  in  this  race,"  he  said 
gallantly,  "  and  one  in  whose  skill  and  force  I  put 
^reat  trust.  Until  now,  I  have  uselessly  sought  a 
lady  of  a  beauty  and  merit  so  rare,  as  to  warrant 
that  I  should  place  his  fortune  on  her  smiles.  But 
I  seek  no  farther." 

"  You  are  gifted  wdth  a  keen  sight,  Signore,  that 
you  discover  all  you  seek  beneath  these  masks,"  re 
turned  one  of  the  two  females,  while  their  compan 
ion,  the  Carmelite,  bowed  graciously  to  the  compli 
ment,  which  seemed  little  more  than  was  warranted 
by  the  usage  of  such  scenes. 

"  There  are  other  means  of  recognition  than  the 
eyes,  and  other  sources  of  admiration  than  the 
senses,  lady.  Conceal  yourselves  as  you  will,  here  do 
I  know  that  I  am  near  the  fairest  face,  the  warmest 
heart,  and  the  purest  mind  of  Venice ! " 

"  This  is  bold  augury,  Signore,"  returned  she,  who 
was  evidently  the  oldest  of  the  two,  glancing  a  look 
at  her  companion,  as  if  to  note  the  effect  of  this 
gallant  speech.  "  Venice  has  a  name  for  the  beauty 
of  its  dames,  and  the  sun  of  Italy  warms  many  a 
generous  heart." 

"  Better  that  such  noble  gifts  should  be  directed 
VOL.  I.  M 


134  THE  BRAVO. 

to  the  worship  of  the  Creator  than  of  the  creature," 
murmured  the  monk. 

"  Some  there  are,  holy  father,  who  have  admira 
tion  for  both.  Such  1  would  fain  hope  is  the  happy 
lot  of  her  who  is  favored  with  the  spiritual  counsel 
of  one  so  virtuous  and  wise  as  yourself.  Here  I 
place  my  fortune,  let  what  may  follow;  and  here 
would  I  gladly  place  a  heavier  stake,  \vere  it 
permitted," 

As  the  cavalier  spoke,  he  tendered  to  the  silent 
fair  a  bouquet  of  the  sweetest  and  most  fragrant 
flowers;  and  among  them  were  those  to  which 
]>oets  and  custom  have  ascribed  the  emblematic 
qualities  of  constancy  and  love.  She,  to  wrhom  this 
offering  of  gallantry  wras  made,  hesitated  to  accept 
it.  It  much  exceeded  the  reserve  imposed  on  one 
of  her  station  and  years,  to  allow  of  such  homage 
from  the  other  sex,  though  the  occasion  was  gene 
rally  deemed  one  that  admitted  of  more  than  usual 
gallantry ;  and  sjie  evidently  shrunk,  with  the  sensi 
tiveness  of  one  whose  feelings  were  unpractised, 
from  an  homage  so  public. 

"  Receive  the  flowers,  my  love,"  mildly  whispered 
her  companion ;  "  the  cavalier  who  offers  them  sim 
ply  intends  to  show  the  quality  of  his  breeding." 

"  That  will  be  seen  in  the  end,"  hastily  returned 
Don  Camillo — for  it  was  he.  "  Signore,  adieu ;  we 
have  met  on  this  water  when  there  was  less  re 
straint  between  us." 

He  bo\ved,  and  signing  to  his  gondolier,  was 
quickly  lost  in  the  crowd  of  boats.  Ere  the  barks, 
however,  were  separated,  the  mask  of  the  silent 
fair  was  slightly  moved,  as  if  she  sought  relief  from 
the  air;  and  the  Neapolitan  was  rewarded  for  his 
gallantry,  by  a  momentary  glance  at  the  glowing 
countenance  of  Violetta. 

"Thy  guardian  hath  a  displeased  eye,"  hurriedly 


THE  BRAVO.  135 

observed  Donna  Florinda.  "I  wonder  that  we 
should  be  known  ! " 

"I  should  more  wonder  that  we  were  not..  I 
could  recall  the  noble  Neapolitan  cavalier  amid  a 
million  1  Thou  dost  not  remember  all  that  1  owe 
to  him!" 

Donna  Florinda  did  not  answer ;  but,  in  secret, 
she  offered  up  a  fervent  prayer  that  the  obligation 
might  be  blessed  to  the  future  happiness  of  her  who 
had  received  it.  There  was  a  furtive  and  uneasy 
glance  between  her  and  the  Carmelite;  but,  a.s 
neither  spoke,  a  long  and  thoughtful  silence  succeed 
ed  the  rencontre. 

From  this  musing,  the  party,  in  common  with  all 
the  gay  and  laughing  multitude  by  which  they  were 
surrounded,  were  reminded  of  the  business  on 
which  they  were  assembled  by  the  signal-gun,  the 
agitation  on  the  great  canal  nearest  the  scene  of 
strife,  and  a  clear  blast  of  the  trumpets.  But  in  or 
der  that  the  narrative  may  proceed  regularly,  it  is 
fit  that  wre  should  return,  a  little,  in  the  order  of 
time.  » 


CHAPTER  IX- 

Here  art  them  in  appointment  fresh  and  fair, 
Anticipating  time  with  starting  courage. 

SHAKSPEARE. 

IT  has  been  seen  that  the  gondolas,  which  were 
to  contend  in  the  race,  had  been  towed  towards  the 
place  of  starting,  in  order  that  the  men  might  enter 
on  the  struggle  with  undiminished  vigor.  In  this 
precaution,  even  the  humble  and  half-clad  fisherman 
had  not  been  neglected,  but  his  boat,  like  the  others, 
was  attached  to  the  larger  barges  to  which  this  duty 


136  THE  BRAVO. 

had  been  assigned.  Still,  as  he  passed  along  the 
canal,  before  the  crowded  balconies  and  groaning 
vessels  which  lined  its  sides,  there  arose  that  scorn 
ful  and  deriding  laugh,  which  seems  ever  to  grow 
more  strong  and  bold,  as  misfortune  weighs  most 
heavily  on  its  subject. 

The  old  man  was  not  unconscious  of  the  remarks 
of  which  he  was  the  subject ;  and,  as  it  is  rare  in 
deed  that  our  sensibilities  do  not  survive  our  better 
fortunes,  even  he  was  so  far  conscious  of  a  fall  as 
not  to  be  callous  to  contempt  thus  openly  expressed. 
He  looked  wistfully  on  every  side  of  him,  and  seem 
ed  to  search,  in  every  eye  he  encountered,  some 
portion  of  the  sympathy  which  his  meek  and  hum 
ble  feelings  still  craved.  But  even  the  men  of  his 
caste  and  profession  threw  jibes  upon  his  ear ;  and, 
though  of  all  the  competitors  perhaps  the  one  whose 
motive  most  hallowed  his  ambition,  he  was  held  to 
be  the  only  proper  subject  of  mirth.  For  the  solu 
tion  of  this  revolting  trait  of  human  character,  we 
are  not  to  look  to  Venice  and  her  institutions,  since 
it  is  known  that  none  are  so  arrogant,  on  occasions, 
as  the  ridden,  and  that  the  abject  and  insolent  spirits 
are  usually  tenants  of  the  same  bosom. 

The  movement  of  the  boats  brought  those  of  the 
masked  waterman  and  the  subject  of  these  taunts 
side  by  side. 

"  Thou  art  not  the  favorite  in  this  strife,"  observed 
the  former,  when  a  fresh  burst  of  jibes  were  show 
ered  on  the  head  of  his  unresisting  associate.  "  Thou 
hast  not  been  sufficiently  heedful  of  thy  attire;  for 
this  is  a  town  of  luxury,  and  he  who  would  meet 
.applause  must  appear  on  the  canals  in  the  guise  of 
one  less  borne  upon  by  fortune." 

"  I  know  them !  I  know  them ! "  returned  the  fish 
erman  ;  "  they  are  led  away  by  their  pride,  and  they 
think  ill  of  one  who  cannot  share  in  their  vanities. 
But,  friend  unknown.  I  have  brought  with  me  a  face 


THE    BRAVO.  137 

which,  old  though  it  be,  and  wrinkled,  and  worn  by 
the  weather  like  the  stones  of  the  sea-shore,  is  un 
covered  to  the  eye,  and  without  shame." 

"  There  may  be  reasons  which  thou  knowest  not, 
why  I  wear  a  mask.  But  if  my  face  be  hid,  the 
limbs  are  bare,  and  thou  seest  there  is  no  lack  of 
sinews  to  make  good  that  which  I  have  undertaken. 
Thou  should'st  have  thought  better  of  the  matter, 
ere  thou  puttest  thyself  in  the  way  of  so  much  mor 
tification.  Defeat  will  not  cause  the  people  to  treat 
thee  more  tenderly." 

"If  my  sinews  are  old  arid  stiffened,  Signor 
Mask,  they  are  long  used  to  toil.  As  to"  shame,  if  it 
is  a  shame  to  be  below  the  rest  of  mankind  in  for 
tune,  it  will  not  now  come  for  the  first  time.  A 
heavy  sorrow  hath  befallen  me,  and  this  race  may 
lighten  the  burthen  of  grief.  I  shall  not  pretend  that 
I  hear  this  laughter,  and  all  these  scornful  speeches 
as  one  listens  to  the  evening  breeze  on  the  Lagunes 
— for  a  man  is  still  a  man,  though  he  lives  with 
the  humblest,  and  eats  of  the  coarsest.  But  let  it 
pass ;  Sant'  Antonio  will  give  me  heart  to  bear  it." 

"  Thou  hast  a  stout  mind,  fisherman ;  and  I  would 
gladly  pray  my  patron  to  grant  thee  a  stronger  arm, 
but  that  I  have  much  need  of  this  victory*  myself. 
Wilt  thou  be  content  with  the  second  prizf ,  if,  by 
any  manner  of  skill,  I  might  aid  thee  in  thy  efforts '{ 
— for,  I  suppose,  the  metal  of  the  third  is  as  little  to 
thy  taste  as  it  is  to  my  own." 

"  Nay,  I  count  not  on  gold,  or  silver." 

"  Can  the  honor  of  such  a  struggle  awaken  the 
pride  of  one  like  thee  1 " 

The  old  man  looked  earnestly  at  his  companion ; 
but  he  shook  his  head,  without  answer,  Fresh  mer 
riment,  at  his  expense,  caused  him  to  bend  his  face 
towards  the  scoffers;  and  he  perceived  they  were, 
just  then,  passing  a  numerous  group  of  his  fellows 
of  the  Lagunes,  who  seemed  to  feel  that  his  unjusti-r 
M2 


138  THE   BRAVO. 

fiable*  ambition  reflected,  in  some  degree,  or:  the 
honor  of  their  whole  body. 

"How  now,  old  Antonio!"  shouted  the  boldest 
of  the  band — "  is  it  not  enough  that  thou  hast  won 
the  honors  of  the  net,  but  thou  would'st  have  a 
golden  oar  at  thy  neck?" 

"We  shall  yet  see  him  of  the  senate!"  cried  a 
second. 

"  He  standeth  in  need  of  the  horned  bonnet  for 
his  naked  head,"  continued  a  third.  "  We  shall  see 
the  brave  Admiral  Antonio,  sailing  in  the  Bucentaur, 
with  the  nobles  of  the  land !" 

Their  sallies  were  succeeded  by  coarse  laughter. 
Even  the  fair,  in  the  balconies,  were  not  uninfluenced 
by  these  constant  jibes,  and  the  apparent  discrepan 
cy  between  the  condition  and  the  means  of  so  unu 
sual  a  pretender  to  the  honors  of  the  regatta.  The 
purpose  of  the  old  man  wavered ;  but  he  seemed 
goaded  by  $ome  inward  incentive  that  still  enabled 
him  to  maintain  his  ground.  His  companion  closely 
watched  the  varying  expression  of  a  countenance 
that  was  far  too  little  trained  in  deception  to  con 
ceal  the  feelings  within;  and,  as  they  approached 
the  j^ojppf  starting,  he  again  spoke.' 

"  i'hou  mnyesi  yet  withdraw,"  he  said; — "why 
sh(9]jfWbne  of  thy  years  make  the  little  time  he  has 
to  si  ay  bitter,  by  bearing  the  ridicule  of  his  asso- 
ci&tes  for  the  rest  of  his  life?" 

'P  St.  Anthony  did  a  greater  wonder,  when  he 
caused  the  fishes  to  come  upon  the  waters  to  hear 
his  preaching,  and  I  will  not  show  a  cowardly 
heart,  at  a  moment  when  there  is  most  need  of  reso- 
Wlon? 

••  The  masked  waterman  crossed  himself  devoutly ; 
and,  relinquishing  all  further  design  to  persuade  the 
other  to  abandon  the  fruitless  contest,  he  gave  all  his 
thoughts  to  his  own  interest  in  the  coming  struggle. 
*"»The  narrowness  of  most  of  the  canals  of  Venice, 


THE   BRAVO.  139 

with  the  innumerable  angles  and  the  constant  pass 
ing,  have  given  rise  to  a  fashion  of  construction  and 
of  rowing  that  are  so  peculiar  to  that  city  and  its 
immediate  dependencies  as  to  require  some  explana 
tion.  The  reader  has  doubtless  already  understood 
that  a  gondola  is  a  long,  narrow,  and  light  boat, 
adapted  to  the  uses  of  the  place,  and  distinct  from 
the  wherries  of  all  other  towns.  The  distance  be 
tween  the  dwellings,  on:  most  of  the  canals,  is  so 
small,  that  the  width  of  the  latter  does  not  admit  of 
the  use  of  oars  on  both  sides  at  the  same  time.  The 
necessity  of  constantly  turning  aside  to  give  room 
for  others,  and  the  frequency  of  the  bridges  and  the 
corners,  have  suggested  the  expediency  of  placing 
the  face  of  the  waterman  in  the  direction  in  which 
the  boat  is  steering,  and,  of  course,  of  keeping  him  on 
his  feet.  As  every  gondola,  when  fully  equipped, 
has  its  pavilion  in  the  centre,  the  height  of  the  latter 
renders  it  necessary  to  place  him  who,  steers  on 
such  an  elevation,  as  wiil^enablo  him  to  overlook  it. 
From  these  several  -causes,  a  one-oared  boat,  in 
Venice,  is  propelled  by  a  gondolier  who"  stands  on  a 
little  angulaivieck  in.  its  stern-  formed  like  the  low 
roof  of  a  h'ous'e ;  TtricT  the  stroke  of  tne  oar  is  given 
by  a  push,  instead  of  a  pull,  as  is. common  elsewhere. 
This  habit  of  ro*vfling  erect,  however,  which  is  usu 
ally  done  by  a  forward,  instead  of  a  backward, 
movement  of  the  body,  is  not  unfrequent  in  all  the 
ports  of  the  Mediterranean,  though  in  no  other  is 
there  a  boat  which  resembles  the  gondola  in  all  its 
properties,  or  uses.  The  upright  position  of  the 
gondolier  requires  that  the  pivot  on  which  the  oar 
rest?  should  have  a  corresponding  elevation ;  and 
there  is,  consequently,  a  species  of  bumkin,  raised 
from  the  side  of  the  boat,  to  the  desired  height,  and 
which,  being  formed  of  a  crooked  and  very  irregu 
lar  knee  of  wood,  has  two  or  three  row-locks,  one 
above  the  other,  to  suit  the  stature  of  different  indi- 


140  THE  BRAVO. 

viduals,  or  to  give  a  broader  or  a  narrower  sweep 
of  the  blade  as  the  movement  shall  require.  As 
there  is  frequent  occasion  to  cast  the  oar  from  one 
of  these  row-locks  to  the  other,  and  not  unfcequent- 
ly  to  change  its  side,  it  rests  in  a  very  open  bed ; 
and  the  instrument  is  kept  in  its  place  by  great  dex 
terity  alone,  and  by  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the 
means  of  accommodating  the  for™*  and  the  rapidi 
ty  of  the  effort  to  the  forward  movement  of  the 
boat  and  the  resistance  of  the  water.  All  these 
difficulties  united,  render  skill  in  a  gondolier  one  of 
the  most  delicate  branches  of  a  waterman's  art,  as 
it  is  clear  that  muscular  strength  alone,  though  of 
great  aid,  can  avail  but  little  in  such  a  practice. 

The  great  canal  of  Venice,  following  its  wind 
ings,  being  more  than  a  league  in  length*,  the  distance 
in  the  present  race  was  reduced  nearly  half,  by 
causing  the  boats  to  start  from  the  Rialto.  At  this 
point,  then,  the  gondolas  were  all  assembled,  attend 
ed  by  those^wto  were  tovd|£e  them.  As  the  whole 
of  the  population  which,  before,  had  been  extended 
along  the  entire  course  of  the  water,  was  now 
crowded  between  the  bridge  and  the  Bucentaur,  the 
long  and  graceful  avenue  resembled  a  vista  of  hu 
man  heads.  It  was  an  imposing  sight  to  look  along 
that  bright  and  living  lane,  and  the  hearts  of  each 
competitor  beat  high,  as  hope,  or  pride,  or  appre 
hension,  became  the  feeling  of  the  moment. 

"  Girio  of  Calabria,"  cried  the  marshal  who  placed 
the  gondolas,  "  thy  station  is  on  the  right.  Take  it, 
and  St.  Januarius  speed  thee !" 

The  servitor  of  Don  Camillo  assumed  his  oar,  and 
the  boat  glided  gracefully  into  its  berth. 

"  Thou  contest  next,  Enrico  of  Fusina.  Call 
stoutly  on  thy  Paduan  patron,  and  husband  thy 
strength ;  for  none  of  the  main  have  ever  yet  borne 
away  a  prize  in  Venice." 

He  then  summoned,  in  succession,  those  whose 


THE    BRAVO.  141 

names  have  not  been  mentioned,  and  placed  them, 
side  by  side,  in  the  centre  of  the  canal. 

"  Here  is  place  for  thee,  Signore,"  continued  the 
officer,  inclining  his  head  to  the  unknown  gondolier ; 
for  he  had  imbibed  the  general  impression  that  the 
face  of  some -young  patrician  was  concealed  beneath 
the  mask,  to  humor  the  fancy  of  some  capricious 
fair. — "  Chance  hath  given  thee  the  extreme  left." 

"  Thou  hast  forgotten  to  call  the  fisherman,"  ob 
served  the  masker,  as  he  drove  his  own  gondola 
into  its  station. 

"Does  the  hoary  fool  persist  in  exposing  his  vanity 
and  his  rags  to  the  best  of  Venice?" 

"  I  can  take  place  in  the  rear,"  meekly  observed 
Antonio.  "  There  may  be  those  in  the  line  it  doth 
not  become  one  like  me  to  crowd ;  and  a  few  strokes 
of  the  oar,  more  or  less,  can  differ  but  little,  in  so 
long  a  strife." 

"  Thou  hadst  better  push  modesty  to  discretion, 
and  remain." 

"  If  it  be  your  pleasure,  Signore,  I  would  rather 
see  what  St.  Anthony  may  do  for  an  old  fisherman, 
who  lias  prayed  to  him,  night  and  morning,  these 
sixty  years?" 

"L,  is  thy  right;  and,  as  thou  seemest  content 
with  it,  keep  the  place  thou  hast  in  the  rear.  It  is 
only  occupying  it  a  little  earlier  than  thou  \vould'st 
otherwise.  Now,  recall  the  rules  of  the  games,  hardy 
gondoliers,  and  make  thy  last  appeal  to  thy  patrons. 
There  is  to  be  no  crossing,  or  other  foul  expedients ; 
naught  except  ready  oars,  and  nimble  wrists.  He 
who  varies,  needlessly,  from  his  line  until  he  leadeth, 
shall  be  recalled  by  name ;  and  whoever  is  guilty  of 
any  act  to  spoil  the  sports,  or  otherwise  to  oflbnd 
the  patricians,  shall  be  both  checked  and  punished. 
Be  ready  for  the  signal." 

,  The  assistant,  who  was  in  a  strongly  manned 
boat,   fell   back   a   little,   while   runners,   similarly 


142  THE    BRAVO. 

equipped,  went  ahead  to  order  the  curious  from  the 
water.  These  preparations  were  scarcely  made, 
when  a  signal  floated  on  the  nearest  dome.  It  was 
repeated  on  the  campanile,  and  a  gun  wras  fired  at 
the  arsenal.  A  deep  but  suppressed  murmur  arose 
in  the  throng,  which  was  as  quickly  succeeded  by 
suspense. 

Each  gondolier  had  suffered  the  bowrs  of  his  boat 
to  incline  slightly  toward  the  left  shore  of  the  canal, 
as  the  jockey  is  seen,  at  the  starting-post,  to  turn  his 
courser  aside,  in  order  to  repress  its  ardor,  or  divert 
its  attention.  But  the  first  long  and  broad  sweep 
of  the  oar  brought  them  all  in  a  line  again,  and  away 
they  glided  in  a  body. 

For  the  first  few  minutes  there  was  no  difference 
in  speed,  nor  any  sign  by  which  the  instructed  might 
detect  the  probable  evidence  of  defeat  or  success. 
The  whole  ten,  which  formed  the  front  line,  skimmed 
the  water  with  an  equal  velocity,  beak  to  beak,  as  if 
some  secret  attraction  held  each  in  its  place,  while 
the  humble,  though  equally  light  bark  of  the  fisher 
man  steadily  kept  its  position  in  the  rear. 

The  boats  were  soon  held  in  command.  The 
oars  got  their  justest  poise  and  widest  sweep,  and 
the  wrists  of  the  men  accustomed  to  their  play. 
The  line  began  to  waver.  It  undulated,  the  glitter 
ing  prow  of  one  protruding  beyond  the  others ;  and 
then  it  changed  its  form.  Enrico  of  Fusina  shot 
ahead,  and,  privileged  by  success,  he  insensibly 
sheered  more  into  the  centre  of  the  canal,  avoiding, 
by  the  change,  the  eddies,  and  the  other  obstructions 
o'f  the  shore.  This  mari'&uvre  which,  in  the  lan 
guage  of  the  course,  would  have  been  called  "taking 
the  track,"  had  the  additional  advantage  of  throwing 
upon  those  who  followed  some  trifling  impediment 
from  the  back-water.  The  sturdy  and  practised 
Bartolomeo  of  the  Lido,  as  his  companions  usually 
called  him,  came  next,  occupying  the  space  on  his 


THE   BRAVO.  143 

leader's  quarter,  where  he  suffered  least  from  the 
reaction  caused  by  the  stroke  of  his  oar.  The 
gondolier  of  Don  Camillo,  also,  soon  shot  out  of  the 
crowd,  and  was  seen  plying  his  arms  vigorously  still 
farther  to  the  right,  and  a  little  in  the  rear  of  Bar- 
tolomeo.  Then  came,  in  the  centre  of  the  canal, 
and  near  as  might  be  in  the  rear  of  the  triumphant 
waterman  of  the  main,  a  dense  body,  with  little  order 
and  varying  positions,  compelling  each  other  to  give 
way,  and  otherwise  increasing  the  difficulties  of 
their  struggle.  More  to  the  left,  and  so  near  to  the 
palaces  as  barely  to  allow  room  for  the  sweep  of 
his  oar,  was  the  masked  competitor,  whose  progress 
seemed  retarded  by  some  unseen  cause,  for  he 
gradually  fell  behind  all  the  others,  until  several 
boats'  lengths  of  open  water  lay  between  him  and 
even  the  group  of  his  nameless  opponents.  Still  he 
plied  his  arms  steadily,  and  with  sufficient  skill. 
As  the  interest  of  mystery  had  been  excited  in  his 
favor,  a  rumor  passed  up  the  canal,  that  the  young 
cavalier  had  been  little  favored  by  fortune  in  the 
choice  of  a  boat.  Others,  who  reflected  more 
deeply  on  causes,  whispered  of  the  folly  of  one  of 
his  habits,  taking  the  risK  of  mortification  by  a  com 
petition  with  men  whose  daily  labor  had  hardened 
their  sinews,  and  whose  practice  enabled  them  to 
judge  closely  of  every  chance  of  the  race.  But 
when  the  eyes  of  the  multitude  turned  from  the 
cluster  of  passing  boats  to  the  solitary  barge  of  the 
fisherman,  who  came  singly  on  in  the  rear,  admira 
tion  was  again  turned  to  derision. 

Antonio  had  cast  aside  the  cap  he  wore  of  wont, 
and  the  few  straggling  hairs  that  were  left  streamed 
about  his  hollow  temples,  leaving  the  whole  of  his 
swarthy  features  exposed  to  view.  More  than  once, 
as  the  gondola  came  on,  his  eyes  turned  aside  re 
proachfully,  as  if  he  keenly  felt  the  stings  of  so  many 
unlicensed  tongues  applied  to  feelings  which,  though 


144  THE  BRAVO. 

blunted  by  his  habits  and  condition,  were  far  from 
extinguished.  Laugh  rose  above  laugh,  however, 
and  taunt  succeeded  taunt  more  bitterly,  as  the  boats 
came  among  the  gorgeous  palaces,  which  lined  the 
canal  nearer  to  the  goal.  It  was  not  that  the  owners 
of  these  lordly  piles  indulged  in  the  unfeeling  triumph, 
but.  their  dependants,  constantly  subject  themselves 
to  the  degrading  influence  of  a  superior  presence, 
let  loose  the  Jong-pent  torrents  of  their  arrogance, 
on  the  head  of  the  first  unresisting  subject  which 
offered. 

Antonio  bore  all  these  jibes  manfully,  if  not  in 
tranquillity,  and  always  without  retort,  until  he  again 
approached  the  spot  occupied  by  his  companions  of 
the  Lagunes.  Here  his  eye  sunk  under  the  re 
proaches,  and  his  oar  faltered.  The  taunts  and 
denunciations  increased  as  he  lost  ground,  and  there 
was  a  moment  when  the  rebuked  and  humbled  spirit 
of  the  old  man  seemed  about  to  relinquish  the  con 
test.  But  dashing  a  hand  across  his  brow,  as  if  to 
clear  a  sigfit  which  had  become  dimmed  and  con 
fused,  he  continued  to  ply  the  oar,  and,  happily,  he 
was  soon  past  the  point  most  trying  to  his  resolution. 
From  this  moment  the  cries  against  the  fisherman, 
diminished,  and  as  the  Bucentaur,  though  still  dis 
tant,  was  now  in  sight,  interest  in  the  issue  of  the 
race  absorbed  all  other  feelings. 

Enrico  still  kept  the  lead ;  but  the  judges  of  the 
gondolier's  skill  began  to  detect  signs  of  exhaustion 
in  his  faltering  stroke.  The  waterman  of  the  Lido 
pressed  him  hard,  and  the  Calabrian  was  drawing 
more  into  a  line  with  them  both.  At  this  moment, 
too,  the  masked  competitor  exhibited  a  force  and 
skill  that  none  had  expected  to  see  in  one  of  his 
supposed  rank.  His  body  was  thrown  more  upon 
the  effort  of  the  oar,  and  as  his  leg  was  stretched 
behind  to  aid  the  stroke,  it  discovered  a  volume  of 
muscle,  and  an  excellence  of  proportion,  that  excit- 


THE  BRAVO.  145 

ed  murmurs  of  applause.  The  consequence  was 
soon  apparent.  His  gondola  glided  past  the  crowd, 
in  the  centre  of  the  canal,  and  by  a  change  that  was 
nearly  insensible,  he  became  the  fourth  in  the  race. 
The  shouts  which  rewarded  his  success  had  scarcely 
parted  from  the  multitude,  ere  their  admiration  was 
called  to  a  new  and  an  entirely  unexpected  aspect 
in  the  struggle. 

Left  to  his  own  exertions,  and  less  annoyed  by 
that  derision  and  contempt  which  often  defeat  even 
more  generous  exertions,  Antonio  had  drawn  nearer 
to  the  crowd  of  nameless  competitors.  Though 
undistinguished  in  this  narrative,  there  were  seen,  in 
that  group  of  gondoliers,  faces  well  known  on  the 
canals  of  Venice,  as  belonging  to  watermen,  in 
whose  dexterity  and  force  the  city  took  pride. 
Either  favored  by  his  isolated  position,  or  availing 
himself  of  the  embarrassment  these  men  gave  to 
each  other,  the  despised  fisherman  was  seen  a  little 
on  their  left,  coming  up  abreast,  with  a  stroke  and 
velocity  that  promised  farther  success.  The  expec 
tation  was  quickly  realized.  He  passed  them  all, 
amid  a  dead  and  wondering  silence,  and  took  his 
station,  as  fifth  in  the  struggle. 

From  this  moment  all  interest  in  those  who  form 
ed  the  vulgar  mass  was  lost.  Every  eye  was  turned 
towards  the  front,  where  the  strife  increased  at  each 
stroke  of  the  oar,  and  where  the  issue  began  to 
assume  a  new  and  doubtful  character.  The  exer 
tions  of  the  waterman  of  Fusina  were  seemingly 
redoubled,  though  his  boat  went  no  faster.  The 
gondola  of  Bartolomeo  shot  past  him ;  it  was  follow 
ed  by  those  of  Gino  and  the  masked  gondolier,  while 
not  a  cry  betrayed  the  breathless  interest  of  the 
multitude.  But,  when  the  boat  of  Antonio  also 
swept  ahead,  there  arose  such  a  hum  of  voices  as 
escapes  a  throng,  when  a  sudden  and  violent  change 
of  feeling  is  produced  in  their  wayward  sentiments. 

VOL.  L  N 


146  Tin:  BRAVO. 

Enrico  was  frantic  with  the  disgrace.  He  urged 
every  power  of  his  frame  to  avert  the  dishonor, 
with  the  desperate  energy  of  an  Italian,  and  then  he 
cast  himself  into  the  bottom  of  the  gondola,  tearing 
his  hair  and  weeping,  in  agony.  His  example  was 
followed  by  those  in  the  rear,  though  with  more 
governed  feelings,  for  they  shot  aside  among  the 
boats  which,  lined  the  canal,  and  were  lost  to  view. 

From  this  open  and  unexpected  abandonment  of 
the  struggle,  the  spectators  got  the  surest  evidence 
of  its  desperate  character.  But  as  a  man  has  little 
sympathy  for  the  unfortunate,  when  his  feelings  are 
excited  by  competition,  the  defeated  were  quickly 
forgotten.  The  name  of  Bartolomeo  was  borne 
high  upon  the  winds,  by  a  thousand  voices,  and  his 
fellows  of  the  Piazzetta  and  the  Lido  called  upon 
him,  aloud,  to  die  for  the  honor  of  their  craft.  Well 
did  the  sturdy  gondolier  answer  to  their  wishes,  for 
palace  after  palace  was  left  behind,  and  no  further 
change  was  made  in  the  relative  positions  of  the 
boats.  But,  like  his  predecessor,  the  leader  re 
doubled  his  efforts,  with  a  diminished  effect,  and 
Venice  had  the  mortification  of  seeing  a  stranger 
leading  one  of  the  most  brilliant  of  her  regattas. 
Bartolomeo  no  sooner  lost  place,  than  Gino,  the 
masker,  and  the  despised  Antonio,  in  turn,  shot  by, 
leaving  him  who  had  so  lately  been  first  in  the  race, 
the  last.  He  did  not,  however,  relinquish  the  strife, 
but  continued  to  struggle  with  the  energy  of  one 
who  merited  a  better  fortune. 

When  this  unexpected  arid  entirely  new  character 
was  given  to  the  contest,  there  still  remained  a  broad 
sheet  of  water,  between  the  advancing  gondolas 
and  the  goal.  Gino  led,  and  with  many  favorable 
symptoms  of  his  being  able  to  maintain  his  advan 
tage.  He  was  encouraged  by  the  shouts  of  the 
multitude,  who  now  forgot  his  Calabrian  origin,  in 
his  success,  while  many  of  the  serving-men  of  his 


TIIE    BRAVO.  147 

master,  cheered  him  on,  by  name.  All  would  not  do. 
The  masked  waterman,  for  the  first  time,  threw  the 
grandeur  of  his  skill  and  force  into  the  oar.  The 
ashen  instrument  bent  to  the  power  of  an  arm,  whose 
strength  appeared  to  increase  at  will,  and  the  move 
ments  of  his  body  became  rapid  as  the  leaps  of  the 
grayhomfd.  The  pliant  gondola  obeyed,  and  amid 
a  shout  which  passed  from  the  Piazzetta  to  the 
Rialto,  it  glided  ahead. 

If  success  gives  force  and  increases  the  physical 
and  moral  energies,  there  is  a  fearful  and  certain 
reaction  in  defeat.  The  follower  of  Don  Camillo 
w^is  no  exception  to  the  general  law,  and  when  the 
masked  competitor  passed  him,  the  boat  of  Antonio 
followed  as  if  it  were  impelled  by  the  same  strokes. 
The  distance  between  the  two  leading  gondolas 
$ven  now  seemed  to  lessen,  and  there  was  a  moment 
of  breathless  interest,  when  all  there  expected  to  see 
the  fisherman,  in  despite  of  his  years  and  boat, 
shooting  past  his  rival. 

But  expectation  was  deceived.  He  of  the  mask, 
notwithstanding  his  previous  efforts,  seemed  to  sport 
with  the  toil,  so  ready  was  the  sweep  of  his  oar,  so 
sure  its  stroke,  and  so  vigorous  the  arm  by  which  it 
was  impelled.  Nor  was  Antonio  an  antagonist  to 
despise.  If  there  was  less  of  the  grace  of  a  prac 
tised  gondolier  of  the  canals  in  his  attitudes,  than  in 
those  of  his  companion,  there  was  no  relaxation  in 
the  force  of  his  sinews.  They  sustained  him  to  the 
last,  with  that  enduring  power  which  had  been  be 
gotten  by  threescore  years  of  unremitting  labor,  and 
while  his  still  athletic  form  was  exerted  to  the  utmost, 
there  appeared  no  failing  of  its  energies. 

A  few  moments  sent  the  leading  gondolas  several 
lengths  ahead  of  their  nearest  followers.  The  dark 
beak  of  the  fisherman's  boat  hung  upon  the  quarter 
of  the  more  showy  bark  of  his  antagonist,  but  it 
could  do  no  more.  The  port  was  open  before  them, 


148  THE    BRAVO. 

and  they  glanced  by  church,  palace,  barge,  mystick, 
and  felucca,  without  the  slightest  inequality  in  their 
relative  speed.  The  masked  waterman  glanced  a 
look  behind,  as  if  to  calculate  his  advantage,  and 
then  bending  again  to  his  pliant  oar,  he  spoke,  loud 
enough  to  be  heard  only  by  him  who  pressed  so 
hard  upon  his  track. 

"Thou  hast  deceived  me,  fisherman!"  he  said; 
';  there  is  more  of  manhood  in  thee,  yet,  than  I  had 
thought." 

"  If  there  is  manhood  in  my  arms,  there  is  child 
ishness  and  sorrow  at  the  heart;"  was  the  reply. 

"  Dost  thou  so  prize  a  golden  bauble  ?  Thou  art 
second  ;  be  content  with  thy  lot." 

"  It  will  not  do ;  I  must  be  foremost,  or  I  have 
wearied  my  old  limbs  in  vain !" 

This  brief  dialogue  was  uttered,  with  an  ease  that 
showed  how  far  use  had  accustomed  both  to  pow 
erful  bodily  efforts,  and  with  a  firmness  of  tones, 
that  few  could  have  equalled,  in  a  moment  of  so 
great  physical  effort.  The  masker  was  silent,  but 
his  purpose  seemed  to  waver.  Twenty  strokes  of 
his  powerful  oar-blade,  arid  the  goal  was  attained: 
but  his  sinews  wrere  not  so  much  extended,  and  that 
limb,  which  had  shown  so  fine  a  development  of 
muscle,  was  less  swollen  and  rigid.  The  gondola 
of  old  Antonio  glided  abeam. 

"  Push  thy  soul  into  the  blade,"  muttered  he  of 
the  mask,  "  or  thou  wilt  yet  be  beaten !" 

The  fisherman  threw  every  effort  of  his  body  on 
the  coming  effort,  and  he  gained  a  fathom.  Another 
stroke  caused  the  boat  to  quiver  to  its  centre,  and 
the  water  curled  from  its  bows,  like  the  ripple  of  a 
rapid.  Then  the  gondola  darted  between  the  two 
goal-barges,  and  the  little  flags  that  marked  the 
point  of  victory  fell  into  the  water.  The  action 
was  scarce  noted,  ere  the  glittering  beak  of  the 
masquer  shot  past  the  eyes  of  the  judges,  \vho. 


THE   BRAVO.  140 

doubted,  for  an  instant,  on  whom  success  had  fallen. 
Gino  was  not  long  behind,  and  after  him  came  Bar- 
tolomeo,  fourth  and  last,  in  the  best-contested  race 
which  had  ever  been  seen  on  the  waters  of  Venice. 

When  the  flags  fell,  men  held  their  breaths  in 
suspense.  Few  knew  the  victor,  so  close  had  been 
the  struggle.  But  a  flourish  of  the  trumpets  soon 
commanded  attention,  and  then  a  herald  proclaim 
ed,  that — 

"  Antonio,  a  fisherman  of  the  Lagunes,  favored 
by  his  holy  patron  of  the  Miraculous  Draught,  had 
borne  awray  the  prize  of  gold — while  a  wraterman, 
who  wore  his  face  concealed,  but  who  hath  trusted 
to  the  care  of  the  blessed  San  Giovanni  of  the  Wil 
derness,  is  worthy  of  the  silver  prize,  and  that  the 
third  had  fallen  to  the  fortunes  of  Gino  of  Calabria, 
a  servitor  of  the  illustrious  Don  Camillo  Monforte, 
Duca  di  Sant'  Agata,  and  lord  of  many  Neapolitan 
Seignories." 

When  this  formal  announcement  was  made,  there 
succeeded  a  silence  like  that  of  the  tomb.  Then 
there  arose  a  general  shout  among  the  living  mass, 
wrhich  bore  on  high  the  name  of  Antonio,  as  if  they 
celebrated  the  success  of  some  conqueror.  All 
feeling  of  contempt  was  lost  in  the  influence  of  his 
triumph.  The  fishermen  of  the  Lagunes,  who  so 
lately  had  loaded  their  aged  companion  with  con 
tumely,  shouted  for  his  glory,  with  a  zeal  that  mani 
fested  the  violence  of  the  transition  from  mortifica 
tion  to  pride,  and,  as  has  ever  been  and  ever  will  be 
the  meed  of  success,  he  who  was  thought  least  likely 
to  obtain  it,  was  most  greeted  \vith  praise  and  adu 
lation,  when  it  was  found  that  the  end  had  disap 
pointed  expectation.  Ten  thousand  voices  were 
lifted,  in  proclaiming  his  skill  and  victory,  and  young 
and  old,  the  fair,  the  gay,  the  noble,  the  winner  of 
sequins  and  he  who  lost,  struggled  alike,  to  catch  a 
glimpse  of  the  humble  old  man,  who  had  so  unex- 
N  2 


150  THE    BRAVO. 

pectedly  wrought  this  change  of  sentiment  in  the 
ieelings  of  a  multitude. 

Antonio  bore  his  triumph  meekly.  When  his 
gondola  had  reached  the  goal,  he  checked  its  course, 
and,  without  discovering  any  of  the  usual  signs  of 
exhaustion,  he  remained  standing,  though  the  deep 
heaving  of  his  broad  and  tawny  chest,  proved 
that  his  powers  had  been  taxed  to  their  utmost.  He 
smiled  as  the  shouts  arose  on  his  ear,  for  praise  is 
grateful,  even  to  the  meek ;  still  he  seemed  oppress 
ed,  with  an  emotion  of  a  character  deeper  than 
pride.  Age  had  somewhat  dimmed  his  eye,  but  it 
was  now  full  of  hope.  His  features  wrorked,  and  a 
single  burning  drop  fell  on  each  rugged  cheek.  The 
fisherman  then  breathed  more  freely. 

Like  his  successful  antagonist,  the  waterman  of 
the  mask  betrayed  none  of  the  debility  which  usual 
ly  succeeds  great  bodily  exertion.  His  knees  w^ere 
motionless,  his  hands  still  grasped  the  oar  firmly, 
and  he  too  kept  his  feet  with  a  steadiness  that  sho\v- 
ed  the  physical  perfection  of  his  frame.  On  the 
other  hand,  both  Gino  and  Bartolomeo  sunk  in  their 
respective  boats,  as  they  gained  the  goal,  in  succes 
sion  ;  and  so  exhausted  was  each  of  these  renown 
ed  gondoliers,  that  several  moments  elapsed  before 
either  had  breath  for  speech.  It  was  during  this 
momentary  pause  that  the  multitude  proclaimed  its 
sympathy  wdth  the  victor,  by  their  longest  and 
loudest  shouts.  The  noise  had  scarcely  died  away, 
however,  before  a  herald  summoned  Antonio  of  the 
Lagunes,  the  masked  waterman  of  the  Blessed  St. 
John  of  the  Wilderness,  and  Gino  the  Calabrian,  to 
the  presence  of  the  doge,  whose  princely  hand  was 
to  bestow  the  promised  prizes  of  the  regatta. 


THE   BRAVO.  151 


CHAPTER  X. 


We  shall  not  spend  a  large  expense  of  time, 
Before  we  reckon  with  your  several  loves, 
And  make  us  even  with  you. 

Macbeth. 

WHEX  the  three  gondolas  reached  the  side  of  the 
Bucentaur,  the  fisherman  hung  back,  as  if  he  dis 
trusted  his  right  to  intrude  himself  into  the  presence 
of  the  senate.  He  was,  however,  commanded  to 
ascend,  and  signs  were  made  for  his  two  compan 
ions  to  follow. 

The  nobles,  clad  in  their  attire  of  office,  formed 
a  long  and  imposing  lane  from  the  gangway  to  the 
stern,  where  the  titular  sovereign  of  that  still  more 
titular  republic  \vas  placed,  in  the  centre  of  the  high 
officers  of  the  state,  gorgeous  and  grave  in  borrow 
ed  guise  and  natural  qualities. 

"  Approach,"  said  the  Prince,  mildly,  observing 
that  the  old  and  half-naked  man  that  led  the  victors 
hesitated  to  advance.  "  Thou  art  the  conqueror, 
fisherman,  and  to  thy  hands  must  I  consign  the 
prize." 

Antonio  bent  his  knee  to  the  deck,  and  bowed  his 
head  lowly  ere  he  obeyed.  Then  taking  courage, 
he  drewr  nearer  to  the  person  of  the  doge,  where  he 
stood  with  a  bewildered  eye  and  rebuked  mien, 
waiting  the  further  pleasure  of  his  superiors.  The 
aged  prince  paused  for  stillness  to  succeed  the  slight 
movements  created  by  curiosity.  When  he  spoke, 
it  was  amid  a  perfect  calm. 

"  It  is  the  boast  of  our  glorious  republic,"  he  said, 
"  that  the  rights  of  none  are  disregarded ;  that  the 
lowly  receive  their  merited  rewards  as  surely  as  the 
great ;  that  St.  Mark  holds  the  balance  with  an  even 


152  THE  £RAVO. 

hand,  and  that  this  obscure  fisherman,  having  de 
served  the  honors  of  this  regatta,  will  receive  them 
with  the  same  readiness  on  the  part  of  him  who  be 
stows,  as  if  he  were  the  most  favored  follower  of 
our  own  house.  Nobles  and  burghers  of  Venice, 
learn  to  prize  your  excellent  and  equable  laws  in 
this  occasion,  for  it  is  most  in  acts  of  familiar  and 
common  usage  that  the  parental  character  of  a 
government  is  seen,  since  in  matters  of  higher  mo 
ment,  the  eyes  of  a  world  impel  a  compliance  with 
its  own  opinions." 

The  doge  delivered  these  preliminary  remarks  in 
a  firm  tone,  like  one  confident  of  his  auditors'  ap 
plause.  He  was  not  deceived.  No  sooner  had  he 
done,  than  a  murmur  of  approbation  passed  through 
the  assembly,  and  extended  itself  to  thousands  who 
were  beyond  the  sound  of  his  voice,  and  to  more 
who  were  beyond  the  reach  of  his  meaning.  The 
senators  bent  their  heads  in  acknowledgment  of  the 
justice  of  what  their  chief  had  uttered,  and  the  lat 
ter,  having  waited  to  gather  these  signs  of  an  ap 
proving  loyalty,  proceeded. 

"  It  is  my  duty,  Antonio,  and,  being  a  duty,  it  hath 
become  a  pleasure,  to  place  around  thy  neck  this 
golden  chain.  The  oar  which  it  bears  is  an  emblem 
of  thy  skill ;  and  among  thy  associates  it  will  be  a 
mark  of  the  republic's  favor  and  impartiality,  and 
of  thy  merit.  Take  it,  then,  vigorous  old  man,  for 
though  age  hath  thinned  thy  temples  arid  furrowed 
thy  cheek,  it  hath  scarce  affected  thy  wonderful 
sinews  and  hardy  courage  ! " 

"Highness!"  observed  Antonio,  recoiling  apace, 
when  he  found  that  he  was  expected  to  stoop,  in  or 
der  that  the  bauble  might  be  bestowed,  "  I  am  not  fit 
to  bear  about  me  such  a  sign  of  greatness  and 
good-fortune.  The  glitter  of  the  gold  would  mock 
my  poverty,  and  a  jewel,  which  comes  from  so 


THE   BRAVO.  153 

princely  a  hand,  would  be  ill  placed  on  a  naked  bo 
som." 

This  unexpected  refusal  caused  a  general  surprise, 
and  a  momentary  pause. 

"  Thou  hast  not  entered  on  the  struggle,  fisher 
man,  without  a  view  to  its  prize?  But  thou  sayest 
truly,  the  golden  ornament  would,  indeed,  but  ill  be 
fit  thy  condition  and  daily  wants.  Wear  it  for  the 
moment,  since  it  is  meet  that  all  should  know  the 
justice  and  impartiality  of  our  decisions,  and  bring 
it  to  my  treasurer  when  the  sports  are  done ;  he 
will  make  such  an  exchange  as  better  suits  thy 
wishes.  There  is  precedent  for  this  practice,  and 
it  shall  be  followed." 

"  Illustrious  Highness !  I  did  not  trust  my  old 
limbs  in  so  hard  a  strife  without  hopes  of  a  reward* 
But  it  was  not  gold,  nor  any  vanity  to  be  seen 
among  my  equals  with  that  glittering  jewel,  that  led 
me  to  meet  the  scorn  of  the  gondoliers,  and  the  dis 
pleasure  of  the  great." 

"  Thou  art  deceived,  honest  fisherman,  if  thou 
supposest  that  we  regard  thy  just  ambition  with  dis 
pleasure.  We  love  to  see  a  generous  emulation 
among  our  people,  and  take  all  proper  means  to  en 
courage  those  aspiring  spirits  who  bring  honor  to  a 
state,  and  fortune  to  our  shores." 

"  I  pretend  not  to  place  my  poor  thoughts  against 
those  of  my  prince,"  answered  the  fisherman ;  "  my 
fears  and  shame  have  led  me  to  believe,  that  it  would 
give  more  pleasure  to  the  noble  and  gay  had  a 
younger  and  happier  borne  away  this  honor." 

"  Thou  must  not  think  this.  Bend,  then,  thy 
knee,  that  I  may  bestow  the  prize.  When  the  sun 
sets,  thou  wilt  find  those  in  my  palace,  who  will 
relieve  thee  of  the  ornament,  at  a  just  remunera 
tion." 

"Highness!"  said  Antonio,  looking  earnestly  at 
the  doo;e,  who  asmin  arrested  his  movement,  in  sur- 


154  THE    BRAVO. 

prise,  "  I  am  old,  and  little  wont  to  be  spoilt  by  for 
tune.  For  my  wants,  the  Lagunes,  with  the  favor 
of  the  Holy  St.  Anthony,  are  sufficient;  but  it  is  in 
thy  power  to  make  the  last  days  of  an  old  man  hap 
py,  arid  to  have  thy  name  remembered  in  many  an 
honest  and  well-meant  prayer.  Grant  me  back  my 
child,  forget  the  boldness  of  a  heart-broken  father  ! " 

"  Is  not  this  he  who  urged  us  with  importunity, 
concerning  a  youth  that  is  gone  into  the  service  of 
the  state?"  exclaimed  the  prince,  across  whose 
countenance  passed  that  expression  of  habitual  re 
serve,  which  so  often  concealed  the  feelings  of  the 
man. 

"  The  same,"  returned  a  cold  voice,  which  the 
ear  of  Antonio  well  knew  came  from  the  Signor 
Gradenigo. 

"  Pity  for  thy  ignorance,  fisherman,  represses  our 
anger.  Receive  thy  chain,  and  depart." 

Antonio's  eye  did  not  waver.  He  kneeled  with 
an  air  of  profound  respect,  and  folding  his  hands 
on  his  bosom,  he  said — 

"  Misery  has  made  me  bold,  dread  Prince  !  What 
I  say  comes  from  a  heavy  heart,  rather  than  from  a 
licentious  tongue,  and  I  pray  your  royal  ear  to  listen 
with  indulgence." 

"  Speak  briefly,  for  the  sports  are  delayed." 

"  Mighty  Doge  !  riches  and  poverty  have  caused 
a  difference  in  our  fortunes,  which  knowledge  arid 
ignorance  have  made  wider.  I  am  rude  in  my  dis 
course,  and  little  suited  to  this  illustrious  company. 
But,  Signore,  God  hath  given  to  the  fisherman  the 
same  feelings,  and  the  same  love  for  his  offspring, 
as  he  has  given  to'  a  prince.  Did  I  place  depend 
ence  only  on  the  aid  of  my  poor  learning,  I  should 
now  be  dumb,  but  there  is  a  strength  within  that 
gives  me  courage  to  speak  to  the  first  and  noblest  in 
Venice  in  behalf  of  my  child." 

**  Thou  canst  not  impeach  the  senate's  justice,  old 


THE    BRAVO.  155 

man,  nor  utter  aught,  in  truth,  against  the  known 
impartiality  of  the  laws!" 

"  Sovrano  Mio !  deign  to  listen,  and  you  shall 
hear.  I  am  what  your  eyes  behold — a  man,  poor,  la 
borious,  and  drawing  near  to  the  hour  when  he  shall 
be  called  to  the  side  of  the  Blessed  St.  Anthony  of 
Rimini,  and  stand  in  a  presence  even  greater  than 
this.  I  am  not  vain  enough  to  think  that  my  hum 
ble  name  is  to  be  found  among  those  of  the  patri 
cians  who  have  served  the  republic  in  her  wars — 
that  is  an  honor  which  none  but  the  great,  and  the 
noble,  and-  the  happy,  can  claim ;  but  if  the  little  I 
have  done  for  my  country  is  not  in  the  Golden  Book, 
it  is  written  here,"  as  Antonio  spoke,  he  pointed  to 
the  scars  on  his  half-naked  form ;  "  these  are  signs 
of  the  enmity  of  the  Turk,  and  I  now  offer  them  as 
so  many  petitions  to  the  bounty  of  the  senate." 

"  Thou  speakest  vaguely.     What  is  thy  will?" 

"  Justice,  mighty  Prince.  They  have  forced  the 
only  vigorous  branch  from  the  dying  trunk — they 
have  lopped  the  withering  stem  of  its  most  promis 
ing  shoot — they  have  exposed  the  sole  companion 
'  of  my  labors  and  pleasures,  the  child  to  whom  I 
have  looked  to  close  my  eyes,  when  it  shall  please 
God  to  call  me  away,  untaught,  and  young  in  les 
sons  of  honesty  and  virtue,  a.boy  in  principle  as  in 
years,  to  all  the  temptation,  and  sin,  and  dangerous 
companionship  of  the  galleys!" 

"Is  this  all?  I  had  thought  thy  gondola  in  the 
dec'ay,  or  thy  right  to  use  the  Lagunes  in  question  ! " 

"  Is  this  all  ?"  repeated  Antonio,  looking  around 
him  in  bitter  melancholy.  "  Doge  of  Venice,  it  is 
more  than  one,  old,  heart-stricken,  and  bereaved, 
can  bear !" 

"  Go  to  ;  take  thy  golden  chain  and  oar,  and  de 
part  among  thy  fellows  in  triumph.  Gladden  thy 
heart  at  a  victory,  on  which  thou  could'st  not,  in 
reason,  have  counted,  and  leave  the  interests  of  the 


156  THK    BRAVO. 

state  to  those  that  are  wiser  than  thce,  and  more 
fitted  to  sustain  its  cares." 

The  fisherman  arose  with  an  air  of  rebuked  sub 
mission,  the  result  of  a  long  life  passed  in  the  habit 
of  political  deference ;  but  he  did  not  approach  to 
receive  the  proffered  reward. 

"  Bend  thy  head,  fisherman,  that  his  Highness 
may  bestow  the  prize,"  commanded  an  oilicer. 

"  I  ask  not  for  gold,  nor  any  oar,  but  that  which 
carries  me  to  the  Lagunes  in  the  morning,  and 
brings  me  back  into  the  canals  at  night.  Give  me 
my  child,  or  give  me  nothing." 

"Away  with  him!"  muttered  a  dozen  voices; 
"  he  utters  sedition !  let  him  quit  the  galley." 

Antonio  was  hurried  from  the  presence,  and 
forced  into  his  gondola  with  very  unequivocal  signs 
of  disgrace.  This  unwonted  interruption  of  the 
ceremonies  clouded  many  a  brow,  for  the  sensibili 
ties  of  a  Venetian  noble  were  quick,  indeed,  to  re 
prehend  the  immorality  of  political  discontent, 
though  the  conventional  dignity  of  the  class  sup 
pressed  all  other  ill-timed  exhibition  of  dissatisfac 
tion. 

"  Let  the  next  competitor  draw  near,"  continued 
the  sovereign,  with  a  composure  that  constant  prac 
tice  in  dissimulation  rendered  easy. 

The  unknown  waterman  to  whose  secret  favor 
Antonio  owed  his  success,  approached,  still  con 
cealed  by  the  licensed  mask. 

"Thou  art  the  gainer  of  the  second  prize."  said 
the  prince,  "  and  wrere  rigid  justice  done,  thou 
should'st  receive  the  first  also,  since  our  favor  is  not 
to  be  rejected  with  impunity. — Kneel,  that  I  may 
bestow  the  favor." 

"Highness,  pardon!"  observed  the  masker,  bow 
ing  with  great  respect,  but  withdrawing  a  single 
step  from  the  offered  reward ;  "  if  it  be  your  gra 
cious  will  to  grant  a  boon,  for  the  success  of  the 


THE  BRAVO.  157 

regatta,  I,  too,  have  to  pray  that  it  may  be  given  in 
another  form." 

"  This  is  unusual !  It  is  not  wont  that  prizes, 
offered  by  the  hand  of  a  Venetian  doge,  should  go 
a-begging." 

"  I  would  not  seem  to  press  more  than  is  respect 
ful,  in  this  great  presence.  I  ask  but  little,  and,  in 
the  end,  it  may  cost  the  republic  less,  than  that 
which  is  now  offered." 

"  Name  it." 

"  I,  too,  and  on  my  knee,  in  dutiful  homage  to  the 
chief  of  the  state,  beg  that  the  prayer  of  the  old 
fisherman  he  heard,  and  that  the  father  and  son  may 
be  restored  to  each  other,  for  the  service  will  cor 
rupt  the  tender  years  of  the  boy,  arid  make  the  age 
of  his  parent  miserable." 

•*  This  touches  on  importunity !  Who  art  thou, 
that  comest  in  this  hidden  manner,  to  support  a 
petition,  once  refused?" 

"Highness — the  second  victor  in  the  ducal 
regatta." 

"  Dost  trifle  in  thy  answers  1  The  protection  of 
a  mask,  in  all  that  does  not  tend  to  unsettle  the  peace 
of  the  city,  is  sacred.  But  here  seemeth  matter  to 
be  looked  into. — Remove  thy  disguise,  that  we  see 
thee,  eye  to  eye." 

"  I  have  heard  that  he  who  kept  civil  speech,  and 
in  naught  offended  against  the  laws,  might  be  seen 
at  will,  disguised  in  Venice,  without  question  of  his 
affairs,  or  name." 

"  Most  true,  in  all  that  does  not  offend  St.  Mark 
But  here  is  a  concert  worthy  of  inquiry:  I  com 
mand  thee,  unmask." 

The  waterman,  reading  in  every  face  around  him 
the  necessity  of  obedience,  slowly  withdrew  the 
means  of  concealment,  and  discovered  the  pallid 
countenance  and  glittering  eyes  of  Jacopo.  An  in 
voluntary  movement  of  all  near,  left  this  dreaded 

VOL.  I.  O 


158  THE    BRAVO. 

person  standing,  singly,  confronted  with  the  prince 
of  Venice,  in  a  wide  circle  of  wondering  and  curi 
ous  listeners. 

"  I  know  thee  not !"  exclaimed  the  doge,  with  an 
open  amazement  that  proved  his  sincerity,  after  re 
garding  the  other  earnestly  for  a  moment.  "  Thy 
reasons  for  the  disguise  should  be  better  than  thy 
reasons  for  refusing  the  prize." 

The  Signor  Gradenigo  drew  near  to  the  sover 
eign,  and  whispered  in  his  ear.  When  he  had  done, 
the  latter  cast  one  look,  in  which  curiosity  and  aver 
sion  were  in  singular  union,  at  the  marked  counte 
nance  of  the  Bravo,  and  then,  he  silently  motioned 
to  him  to  depart.  The  throng  drew  about  the  royal 
person,  with  instinctive  readiness,  closing  the  space 
in  his  front. 

"  We  shall  look  into  this,  at  our  leisure,"  said  the 
doge.  "  Let  the  festivities  proceed." 

Jacopo  bowed  low,  and  withdrew.  As  he  moved 
along  the  deck  of  the  Bucentaur,  the  senators  made 
way,  as  if  pestilence  was  in  his  path,  though  it  was 
quite  apparent,  by  the  expression  of  their  faces,  that 
it  was  in  obedience  to  a  feeling  of  a  mixed  charac 
ter.  The  avoided,  but  still  tolerated  Bravo  descended 
to  his  gondola,  and  the  usual  signals  were  given  to 
the  multitude  beneath,  who  believed  the  customary 
ceremonies  were  ended. 

"  Let  the  gondolier  of  Don  Camillo  Monforte 
stand  forth,"  cried  a  herald,  obedient  to  the  beck 
of  a  superior. 

"  Highness,  here ;"  answered  Gino,  troubled  and 
hurried. 

"Thou  art  of  Calabria?" 

"  Highness,  yes." 

"But  of  long  practice  on  our  Venetian  canals, 
or  thy  gondola  could  never  have  outstripped  those 
of  the  readiest  oarsmen. — Thou  servest  a  noble 
master?" 


THE   BRAVO.  159 

"  Highness,  yes." 

"  And  it  would  seem  that  the  Duke  of  St.  Agata 
is  happy  in  the  possession  of  an  honest  and  faithful 
follower?" 

"  Highness,  too  happy." 

"  Kneel,  arid  receive  the  reward  of  thy  resolution 
and  skill." 

Gino,  unlike  those  who  had  preceded  him,  bent  a 
willing  knee  to  the  deck,  and  took  the  prize  with  a 
low  and  humble  inclination  of  the  body.  At  this 
moment  the  attention  of  the  spectators  was  drawn 
from  the  short  and  simple  ceremony  by  a  loud  shout, 
which  arose  from  the  water,  at  no  great  distance 
from  the  privileged  bark  of  the  senate.  A  common 
movement  drew  ail  to  the  side  of  the  galley,  and  the 
successful  gondolier  was  quickly  forgotten. 

A  hundred  boats  were  moving,  in  a  body,  towards 
the  Lido,  while  the  space  they  covered  on  the  water 
presented  one  compact  mass  of  the  red  caps  of 
fishermen.  In  the  midst  of  this  marine  picture  was 
seen  the  bare  head  of  Antonio,  borne  along  in  the 
floating  multitude,  without  any  effort  of  his  own. 
The  general  impulsion  was  received  from  the  vigor 
ous  arms  of  some  thirty  or  forty  of  their  nuinber, 
who  towed  those  in  the  rear  by  applying  their  force 
to  three  or  four  large  gondolas  in  advance. 

There  was  no  mistaking  the  object  of  this  sin 
gular  and  characteristic  procession.  The  tenants 
of  the  Lagunes,  with  the  fickleness  with  which  ex 
treme  ignorance  acts  on  human  passions,  had  sud 
denly  experienced  a  violent  revolution  in  their 
feelings  towards  their  ancient  comrade.  He  who, 
an  hour  before,  had  been  derided  as  a  vain  and  ridi 
culous  pretender,  and  on  whose  head  bitter  impre 
cations  had  been  so  lavishly  poured,  was  now  lauded 
with  cries  of  triumph. 

The  gondoliers  of  the  canals  were  laughed  to 
scorn,  and  the  ears  of  even  the  haughty  nobles  were 


160  THE  BRAVO. 

not  respected,  as  the  exulting  band  taunted  their 
pampered  menials. 

In  short,  by  a  process  which  is  common  enough 
with  man  in  all  the  divisions  and  subdivisions  of 
society,  the  merit  of  one  was  at  once  intimately  and 
inseparably  connected  with  the  glory  and  exultation 
of  all. 

Had  the  triumph  of  the  fisherman  confined  itself 
to  this  natural  and  commonplace  exhibition,  it,  would 
not  have  given  grave  offence  to  the  vigilant  and 
jealous  power  that  watched  over  the  peace  of  Ven 
ice.  But,  amid  the  shouts  of  approbation  were 
mingled  cries  of  censure.  Words  of  grave  import 
were  even  heard,  denouncing  those  who  refused  to 
restore  to  Antonio  his  child ;  and  it  was  whispered 
on  the  deck  of  the  Bucentaur,  that,  filled  with  the 
imaginary  importance  of  their  passing  victory,  the 
hardy  band  of  rioters  had  dared  to  menace  a  forci 
ble  appeal,  to  obtain  what  they  audaciously  termed 
the  justice  of  the- case. 

This  ebullition  of  popular  feeling  was  witnessed 
by  the  assembled  senate  in  ominous  and  brooding 
silence.  One  unaccustomed  to  reflection  on  such  a 
subject,  or  unpract;sed  in  the  world,  might  have 
fancied  alarm  and  uneasiness  were  painted  on  the 
grave  countenances  of  the  patricians,  and  that  the 
signs  of  the  times  were  little  favorable  to  the  con 
tinuance  of  an  ascendency  that  was  dependent  more 
on  the  force  of  convention,  than  on  the  possession 
of  any  physical  superiority.  But,  on  the  other  hand,, 
one  who  was  capable  of  judging  between  the  power 
of  political  ascendency,  strengthened  by  its  combi 
nations  and  order,  and  the  mere  ebullitions  of  pas 
sion,  however  loud  and  clamorous,  might  readily 
have  seen  that  the  latter  was  not  yet  displayed  in 
sufficient  energy  to  break  down  the  barriers  which 
the  first  had  erected. 

The  fishermen  were  permitted  to  go  their  way 


THE    BRAVO.  16\ 

unmolested,  though  here  and  there  a  gondola  was 
seen  stealing  towards  the  Lido,  bearing  certain  of 
those  secret  agents  of  the  police  whose  duty  it  was 
to  forewarn  the  existing  powers  of  the  presence  of 
danger.  Among  the  latter  was  the  boat  of  the 
wine-seller,  \vhich  departed  from  the  Piazzetta,  con 
taining  a  stock  of  his  merchandise,  with  Annina, 
under  the  pretence  of  making  his  profit  out  of  the 
present  rarbulent  temper  of  their  ordinary  custom 
ers.  In  the  mean  time,  the  sports  proceeded,  and 
the  momentary  interruption  was  forgotten ;  or,  if 
remembered,  it  was  in  a  manner  suited  to  the  secret 
and  fearful  power  which  directed  the  destinies  of 
that  remarkable  republic. 

There  was  another  regatta,  in  which  men  of  infe 
rior  powers  contended  ;  but  we  deem  it  unworthy 
to  detain  the  narrative  by  a  description. 

Though  the  grave  tenants  of  the  Bucentaur  seem 
ed  to  take  an  interest  in  what  was  passing  immedi 
ately  before  their  eyes,  they  had  ears  for  every 
shout  that  was  borne  on  the  evening  breeze  from 
the  distant  Lido ;  and  more  than  once  the  doge  him 
self  was  seen  to  bend  his  looks  in  that  direction,  in 
a  manner  which  betrayed  the  concern  that  was 
uppermost  in  his  mind. 

Still  the  day  passed  on  as  usual.  The  conquerors 
triumphed,  the  crowd  applauded,  and  the  collected 
senate  appeared  to  sympathize  with  the  pleasures 
of  a  people,  over  whom  they  ruled  with  a  certainty 
of  power  that  resembled  the  fearful  and  mysterious 
march  of  destinv. 


O  2 


162  THE   BRAVO. 


CHAPTER  XL 

•*  Which  is  the  merchant  here,  and  which  the  Jew  ? >r 

SHAKSPEARE- 

THE  evening  of  such  a  day,  in  a  city  with  the 
habits  of  Venice,  was  not  likely  to  be  spent  in  the 
dullness  of  retirement.  The  great  sqinfre  of  St. 
Mark  was  again  filled  with  its  active  and  motley 
crowd,  and  the  scenes  already  described  in  the 
opening  chapters  of  this  work,  were  resumed,  if  pos 
sible,  with  more  apparent  devotion  to  the  levities  of 
the  hour,  than  on  the  occasion  mentioned.  The 
tumblers  and  jugglers  renewed  their  antics,  the  cries 
of  the  fruit-sellers  and  other  venders  of  light  luxuries' 
were  again  mingled  with  the  tones  of  the  flute  and 
the  notes  of  the  guitar  and  harp,  while  the  idle  and 
the  busy,  the  thoughtless  and  the  designing,  the  con 
spirator  and  the  agent  of  the  police,  once  more  met 
in  privileged  security. 

The  night  had  advanced  beyond  its  turn,  when  a 
gondola  came  gliding  through  the  shipping  of  the 
port,  with  that  easy  and  swTan-like  motion,  which  is 
peculiar  to  its  slow  movement,  and  touched  the  quay 
with  its  beak,  at  the  point  w7here  the  canal  of  St. 
Mark  forms  its  junction  W7ith  the  bay. 

"  Thou  art  welcome,  Antonio,"  said  one,  who  ap 
proached  the  solitary  individual  that  had  directed 
tke  gondola,  when  the  latter  had  thrust  the  iron  spike 
of  his  painter  between  the  crevices  of  the  stones,  as 
gondoliers  are  accustomed  to  secure  their  barges ; 
"  thou  art  welcome,  Antonio,  though  late." 

"  I  begin  to  know  the  sounds  of  that  voice,  though 
they  cotne  from  a  masked  face,"  said  the  fisherman. 
"  Friend,  I  owe  my  success  to-day  to  thy  kindness, 
and  though  it  has  not  had  the  end  for  which  I  had 
both  hoped  and  prayed,  I  ought  not  to  thank  thee 


THE    BRAVO.  163 

less.  Thou  hast  thyself  been  borne  hard  upon  by 
the  world,  or  thou  would'st  not  have  bethought  thee 
of  an  old  and  despised  man,  when  the  shouts  of  tri 
umph  were  ringing  in  thy  ear,  and  when  thy  own 
young  blood  was  stirred  with  the  feelings  of  pride 
and  victory." 

"Nature  gives  thee  strong  language,  fisherman. 
I  have  not  passed  the  hours,  truly,  in  the  games  and 
levities  of  my  years.  Life  has  been  no  festa  to  me — 
but  no  matter."  The  seriate  was  not  pleased  to  hear 
of  lessening  the  number  of  the  galleys'  crew,  and 
thou  wilt  bethink  thee  of  some  other  reward.  I  have, 
here,  the  chain  and  golden  oar  in  the  hope  that  it 
will  still  be  welcome." 

Antonio  looked  amazed,  but,  yielding  to  a  natural 
curiosity,  he  gazed  a  moment  with  a  longing  at  the 
prize.  Then,  recoiling  with  a  shudder,  he  uttered 
moodily,  and  with  the  tones  of  one  whose  determi 
nation  was  made :  "  I  should  think  the  bauble  coined 
of  my  grandchild's  blood !  Keep  it :  they  have  trust 
ed  it  to  thee,  for  it  is  thine  of  right,  and  now  that 
they  refuse  to  hear  my  prayer,  it  will  be  useless  to 
all  but  to  him  who  fairly  earned  it." 

"  Thou  makest  no  allowance,  fisherman,  for  differ 
ence  of  years  and  for  sinews  that  are  in  their  vigor. 
Methinks  that  in  adjudging  such  a  prize,  thought 
should  be  had  to  these  matters,  and  then  wouldest 
thou  be  found  outstripping  us  all.  Holy  St.  Theo 
dore !  I  passed  my  childhood  with  the  oar  in  hand, 
and  never  before  have  I  met  one  in  Venice  who  has 
driven  my  gondola  so  hard !  Thou  touchest  the 
water  with  the  delicacy  of  a  lady  fingering  her  liar]:), 
and  yet  with  the  force  of  the  wave  rolling  on  the 
Lido!" 

"I  have  seen  the  hour,  Jacopo,  when  even  tin- 
young  arm  would  have  tired,  in  such  a  strife  between 
us.  That  was  before  the  birth  of  my  eldest  son,  who 
died  in  battle  with  the  Ottoman,  when  the  dear  boy 


164  THE   BRAVO. 

he  left  me  was  but  an  infant  in  arms.  Thou  never 
sawest  the  comely  lad,  good  Jacopo?" 

"  I  was  not  so  happy,  old  man ;  but  if  h  resembled 
thee,  well  mayest  thou  mourn  his  loss.  .Body  of  Di 
ana  !  I  have  little  cause  to  boast  of  the  small  advan 
tage  youth  and  strength  gave  me." 

"  There  was  a  force  within  that  bore  me  and  the 
boat  on — but  of  what  use  hath  it  been  ?  Thy  kind 
ness,  and  the  pain  given  to  an  old  frame,  that  hath 
been  long  racked  by  hardship  and  poverty,  are  both 
thrown  away  on  the  rocky  hearts  of  the  nobles." 

"  We  know  not  yet,  Antonio.  The  good  saints 
will  hear  our  prayers,  when  we  least  think  they  are 
listening.  Come  with  me,  for  I  am  sent  to  seek  thee." 

The  fisherman  regarded  his  new  acquaintance 
with  surprise,  and  then  turning  to  bestow  an  instant 
of  habitual  care  on  his  boat,  he  cheerfully  professed 
himself  ready  to  proceed.  The  place  where  they 
stood  was  a  little  apart  from  the  thoroughfare  of  the 
quays,  and  though  there  was  a  brilliant  moon,  the 
circumstance  of  two  men,  in  their  garbs,  being  there, 
was  not  likely  to  attract  observation;  but  Jacopo 
did  not  appear  to  be  satisfied  with  this  security  from 
remark.  He  waited  until  Antonio  had  left  the  gon 
dola,  and,  then,  unfolding  a  cloak,  which  had  lain  on 
his  arm,  he  threw  it,  without  asking  permission,  over 
the  shoulders  of  the  other.  A  cap,  like  that  he  wore 
himself,  was  next  produced,  and  being  placed  on  the 
gray  hairs  of  the  fisherman,  effectually  completed 
his  metamorphosis. 

"  There  is  no  need  of  a  mask,"  he  said,  examining 
his  companion  attentively,  when  his  task  was  ac 
complished.  "  None  would  know  thee,  Antonio,  in 
this  garb." 

"  And  is  there  need  of  what  thou  hast  done,  Ja 
copo  1  I  owe  thee  thanks  for  a  well-meant,  and,  but 
for  the  hardness  of  heart  of  the  rich  and  powerful, 
for  what  would  have  proved,  a  great  kindness.  Still 


THE    BRAVO.  165 

I  must  tell  thee  that  a  mask  was  never  yet  put  before 
my  face ;  for  what  reason  can  there*  be,  why  one 
who  rises  with  the  sun  to  go  to  his  toil,  and  who 
trusteth  to  the  favor  of  the  blessed  St.  Anthony  for 
the  little  he  hath,  should  go  abroad  like  a  gallant 
ready  to  steal  the  good  name  of  a  virgin,  or  a  rob 
ber  at  night  '\ " 

"  Thou  knowest  our  Venetian  custom,  and  it  may 
be  well  to  use  some  caution,  in  the  business  we  are 
on." 

"  Thou  forgettest  that  thy  intention  is  yet  a  secret 
to  me.  I  say  it  again,  and  I  say  it  with  truth  and 
gratitude,  that  I  owe  thee  many  thanks,  though  the 
end  is  defeated,  and  the  boy  is  still  a  prisoner  in  the 
floating-school  of  wickedness — but  thou  hast  a  namer 
Jacopo,  that  I  could  wish  did  not  belong  to  thee.  I 
find  it  hard  to  believe  all  that  they  have  this  day  said, 
on  the  Lido,  of  one  who  has  so  much  feeling  for  the 
weak  and  wronged." 

The  Bravo  ceased  to  adjust  the  disguise  of  his 
companion,  and  the  profound  stillness  which  suc 
ceeded  his  remark,  proved  so  painful  to  Antonio,  that 
he  felt  like  one  reprieved  from  suffocation,  when  he 
heard  the  deep  respiration  that  announced  the  relief 
of  his  companion. 

"  I  would  not  willingly  say — " 

"No  matter,"  interrupted  Jacopo,  in  a  hollow 
voice.  "  No  matter,  fisherman ;  we  will  speak  of 
these  things  on  some  other  occasion.  At  present, 
follow,  and  be  silent." 

As  he  ceased,  the  self-appointed  guide  of  Antonio 
beckoned  for  the  latter  to  come  on,  when  he  led  the 
way  from  the  water-side.  The  fisherman  obeyed, 
for  little  did  it  matter  to  one  poor  and  heart-stricken 
as  he,  w?hither  he  was  conducted.  Jacopo  took  the 
first  entrance  into  the  court  of  the  doge's  palace. 
His  footstep  was  leisurely,  and  to  the  passing  multi 
tude  they  appeared  like  any  others  of  the  thousands, 


166  THE   BRAVO. 

who  were  abroad  to  breathe  the  soft  air  of  the  night, 
or  to  enter  into  the  pleasures  of  the  piazza. 

When  within  the  dimmer  and  broken  light  of  the 
court,  Jacopo  paused,  evidently  to  scan  the  persons 
of  those  it  contained.  It  is  to  be  presumed  he  saw 
no  reason  to  delay,  for  with  a  secret  sign  to  his 
companion  to  follow,  he  crossed  the  area,  and 
mounted  the  well-known  steps,  down  which  the  head 
of  the  Faliero  had  rolled,  and  which,  from  the  sta 
tues  on  the  summit,  is  called  the  Giant's  Stairs.  The 
celebrated  mouths  of  the  lions  were  passed,  and  they 
were,  walking  swiftly  along  the  open  galler}'-,  when 
they  encountered  a  halberdier  of  the  ducal  guard, 

"  Who  comes"?"  demanded  the  mercenary,  throw 
ing  forward  his  long  and  dangerous  weapon. 
"  Friends  to  the  state  and  to  St.  Mark." 
"  None  pass,  at  this  hour,  without  the  word." 
Jacopo  motioned  to  Antonio  to  stand  fast,  while 
he  drew  nearer  to  the  halberdier  and  whispered. 
The  weapon  was  instantly  thrown  up,  and  the  sen 
tinel  again  paced  the  long  gallery,  with  practised  in 
difference.  The  way  was  no  sooner  cleared  than 
they  proceeded.  Antonio,  not  a  little  amazed  at 
what  he  had  already  seen,  eagerly  followed  his  guide, 
for  his  heart  began  to  beat  high  with  an  exciting, 
but  undefined  hope.  He  was  not  so  ignorant  of  hu 
man  affairs  as  to  require  to  be  told,  that  those  who 
ruled  would  some  time  concede  that  in  secret,  which 
policy  forbade  them  to  yield  openly.  Full,  therefore, 
of  the  expectation  of  being  ushered  into  the  pres 
ence  of  the  doge  himself,  and  of  having  his  child 
restored  to  his  arms,  the  old  man  stepped  lightly 
along  the  gloomy  gallery,  and  darling  through  an 
entrance,  at  the  heels  of  Jacopo,  he  found  himself 
at  the  foot  of  another  flight  of  massive  steps.  The 
route  now  became  confused  to  the  fisherman,  for, 
quitting  the  more  public  vomitories  of  the  palace,  his 
companion  held  his  way  by  a  secret  door,  through 


THE    BRAVO.  167 

many  dimly  lighted  and  obscure  passages.  They 
ascended  and  descended  frequently,  as  often  quitting 
or  entering  rooms  of  but  ordinary  dimensions  and 
decorations,  until  the  head  of  Antonio  was  completely 
turned,  and  he  no  longer  knew  the  general  direction 
of  their  course.  At  length  they  stopped,  in  an  apart 
ment  of  inferior  ornaments,  and  of  a  dusky  color, 
which  the  feeble  light  rendered  still  more  gloomy. 

"  Thou  art  well  acquainted  with  the  dwelling  of 
our  prince,"  said  the  fisherman,  when  his  companion 
enabled  him  to  speak,  by  checking  his  swift  move 
ments.  "  The  oldest  gondolier  of  Venice  is  not 
more  ready  on  the  canals,  than  thou  appearest  to  be 
am  oner  these  galleries  and  corridors." 

"  'Tis  my  business  to  bring  thee  hither,  and  what 
I  am  to  do,  I  endeavor  to  do  well.  Antonio,  thou 
art  a  man  that  feareth  not  to  stand  in  the  presence 
of  the  great,  as  this  day  hath  shown.  Summon  thy 
courage,  for  a  moment  of  trial  is  before  thee." 

"  I  have  spoken  boldly  to  the  doge.  Except  the 
Holy  Father,  himself,  what  power  is  there  on  earth 
beside  to  fear?" 

"  Thou  mayest  have  spoken,  fisherman,  too  boldly. 
Temper  thy  language,  for  the  great  love  not  words 
of  disrespect." 

"  Is  truth  unpleasant  to  them?" 

"  That  is  as  may  be.  They  love  to  hear  their  own 
acts  praised,  when  their  acts  have  merited  praise, 
but  they  do  not  like  to  hear  them  condemned,  even 
though  they  know  what  is  said  to  be  just." 

"  I  fear  me,"  said  the  old  man,  looking  with  sim 
plicity  at  the  other,  "there  is  little  difference  be 
tween  the  powerful  and  the  weak,  when  the  gar 
ments  are  stripped  from  both,  and  the  man  stands 
naked  to  the  eye." 

"  That  truth  may  not  be  spoken  here." 

"  How !  Do  they  deny  that  they  are  Christians, 
and  mortals,  and  sinners?" 


U.1' 

sit 

E: 

ns 
,m 


168  THE    BRAVO. 

"  They  make  a  merit  of  the  first,  Antonio — they 
forget  the  second,  and  they  never  like  to  be  called 
the  last,  by  any  but  themselves." 

"  I  doubt,  Jacopo,  after  all,  if  I  get  from  them  the 
freedom  of  the  boy." 

"  Speak  them  fair,  and  say  naught  to  wound  their 
self-esteem,  or  to  menace  their  authority — they  will 
pardon  much,  if  the  last,  in  particular,  be  respected." 

"  But  it  is  that  authority  which  has  taken  away 
my  child !  Can  I  speak  in  favor  of  the  power  which 
I  know  to  be  unjust  ?" 

"  Thou  must  feign  it,  or  thy  suit  will  fail." 

"  I  will  go  back  to  the  Lagunes,  good  Jacopo,  for 
this  tongue  of  mine  hath  ever  moved  at  the  bidding 
of  the  heart.  I  fear  I  am  too  old  to  say  that  a  son 
may  righteously  be  torn  from  the  father  by  violence. 
Tell  them,  thou,  from  me,  that  I  came  thus  far,  in 
order  to  do  them  respect,  but,  that  seeing  the  hope 
lessness  of  beseeching  further,  I  have  gone  to  my 
nets,  and  to  my  prayers  to  blessed  St.  Anthony." 

As  he  ceased  speaking,  Antonio  wrung  the  hand 
of  his  motionless  companion,  and  turned  away,  as 
if  to  retire.  Two  halberds  fell  to  the  level  of  his 
breast,  ere  his  foot  had  quitted  the  marble  floor,  and 
he  now  saw7,  for  the  first  time,  that  armed  men  cross 
ed  his  passage,  and  that,  in  truth,  he  was  a  prisoner. 
Nature  had  endowed  the  fisherman  with  a  quick  arid 
just  perception,  and  long  habit  had  given  great  stead 
iness  to  his  nerves.  When  he  perceived  his  real 
situation,  instead  of  entering  into  useless  remon 
strance,  or  in  any  manner  betraying  alarm,  he  again 

rned  to  Jacopo  with  an  air  of  patience  and  resig 
nation. 

"  It  must  be  that  the  illustrious  Signore  wish  to  do 
me  justice,"  he  said,  smoothing  the  remnant  of  his 
hair,  as  men  of  his  class  prepare  themselves  for  the 
presence  of  their  superiors,  "  and  it  would  not  be 
decent,  in  an  humble  fisherman,  to  refuse  them  the 


THE   BRAVO.  169 

opportunity.  It  would  be  better,  however,  if  there 
were  less  force  used  here  in  Venice,  in  a  matter  of 
simple  right  and  wrong.  But  the  great  love  to  show 
their  power,  and  the  weak  must  submit"  t, 

"We  shall  see!"  answered  .Ja'cxipo,  •; who  had; 
manifested  no  emotion  during  the  abortive  attempt 
of  the  other  to  retire. 

A  profound  stillness  succeeded.  :The  halberdiers 
maintained  their  rigid  attitudes,  within  the  shadow 
of  the  wall,  looking  like  two  insensible  statues,  in  the 
attire  and  armor  of  the  age,  while  Jacopo  and  his. 
companion  occupied  the  centre  of  the  room,  with 
scarcely  more  of  the  appearance  of  consciousness 
and  animation.  It  may  be  well  to  explain,  here,  to 
the  reader,  some  of  the  peculiar  machinery  of  the 
state,  in  the  country  of  which  we  write,  and  which 
is  connected  with  the  scene  that  is  about  to  follow : 
for  the  name  of  a  republic,  a  word  which,  if  it  mean 
anything,  strictly  implies  the  representation  and  su 
premacy  of  the  general  interests,  but  which  has  so 
frequently  been  prostituted  to  the  protection  and 
monopolies  of  privileged  classes,  may  have  induced 
him  to  believe  that  there  was,  at  least,  a  resemblance 
between  the  outlines  of  that  government,  and  the 
more  just,  because  more  popular,  institutions  of  his 
own  country. 

In  an  age,  when  rulers  were  profane  enough  to 
assert,  and  the  ruled  weak  enough  to  allow,  that  the 
right  of  a  man  to  govern  his  fellows  was  a  direct 
gift  from  God,  a  departure  from  the  bold  and  selfish 
principle,  though  it  were  only  in  profession,  was 
thought  sufficient  to  give  a  character  of  freedom 
and  common  sense  to  the  polity  of  a  nation.  This 
belief  is  not  without  some  justification,  since  it  es 
tablishes  in  theory,  at  least,  the  foundations  of  gov 
ernment  on  a  base  sufficiently  different  from  that 
which  supposes  all  power  to  be  the  property  of  one, 
and  that  one  to  be  the  representative  of  the  faultless 

VOL.  I.  P 


170  THE   BRAVO. 

and  omnipotent  Ruler  of  the  Universe.  With  the 
first  of  these  principles  we  have  nothing  to  do,  ex 
cept  it  be  to  add  that  there  are  propositions  so  inhe 
rently  false  that  they  only  require  to  be  fairly  stated 
to  produce  their  own  refutation ;  but  our  subject  ne 
cessarily  draws  us  into  a  short  digression  on  the 
errors  of  the  second,  as  they  existed  in  Venice. 

It  is  probable  that  when  the  patricians  of  St. 
Mark  created  a  community  of  political  rights  in 
their  own  body,  they  believed  their  state  had  done 
all  that  was  necessary  to  merit  the  high  and  generous 
title  it  assumed.  They  had  innovated  on  a  generally 
received  principle,  and  they  cannot  claim  the  dis 
tinction  of  being  either  the  first,  or  the  last,  who 
have  imagined  that  to  take  the  incipient  steps  in  po 
litical  improvement,  is  at  once  to  reach  the  goal  of 
perfection.  Venice  had  no  doctrine  of  divine  right, 
and  as  her  prince  was  little  more  than  a  pageant, 
she  boldly  laid  claim  to  be,  called  a  republic.  She 
believed  that  a  representation  of  the  most  prominent 
and  brilliant  interests  in  society  was  the  paramount 
object  of  government,  and,  faithful  to  the  seductive, 
but  dangerous,  error,  she  mistook  to  the  last,  collec 
tive  power  for  social  happiness. 

It  may  be  taken  as  a  governing  principle,  in  all 
civil  relations,  that  the  strong  will  grow  stronger, 
and  the  feeble  more  weak,  until  the  first  become  un 
fit  to  rule,  or  the  last  unable  to  endure.  In  this  im 
portant  truth  is  contained  the  secret  of  the  downfall 
of  all  those  states  which  have  crumbled  beneath  the 
weight  of  their  own  abuses.  It  teaches  the  necessity 
of  widening  the  foundations  of  society,  until  the  base 
shall  have  a  breadth  capable  of  securing  the  just 
representation  of  every  interest,  without  which  the 
social  machine  is  liable  to  interruption  from  its  own 
movement,  and  eventually  to  destruction  from  its 
own  excesses. 

Venice,  though  ambitious  and  tenacious  of  the 


THE   BRAVO.  171 

name  of  a  republic,  was,  in  truth,  a  narrow,  a  vul 
gar,  and  an  exceedingly  heartless  oligarchy.  To  the 
former  title  she  had  no  other  claim  than  her  denial 
of  the  naked  principle  already  mentioned,  while  her 
practice  is  liable  to  the  reproach  of  the  two  latter, 
in  the  unmanly  and  narrow  character  of  its  exclu 
sion,  in  every  act  of  her  foreign  policy,  and  in 
every  measure  of  her  internal  police.  An  aristocra 
cy  must  ever  want  the  high  personal  feeling  which 
often  tempers  despotism  by  the  qualities  of  the 
chief,  or  the  generous  and  human  impulses  of  a 
popular  rule.  It  has  the  merit  of  substituting  things 
for  men,  it  is  true,  but  unhappily  it  substitutes  the 
things  of  a  few  men  for  those  of  the  whole.  It  par 
takes,  and  it  always  has  partaken,  though  necessa 
rily  tempered  by  circumstances  and  the  opinions  of 
different  ages,  of  the  selfishness  of  all  corporations, 
in  which  the  responsibility  of  the  individual,  while 
his  acts  are  professedly  submitted  to  the  temporizing 
expedients  of  a  collective  interest,  is  lost  in  the  sub 
division  of  numbers.  At  the  period  of  which  we 
write,  Italy  had  several  of  these  self-styled  common 
wealths,  in  not  one  of  which,  however,  was  there 
ever  a  fair  and  just  confiding  of  power  to  the  body 
of  the  people,  though  perhaps  there  is  not  one  that 
has  not  been  cited,  sooner  or  later,  in  proof  of  the 
inability  of  man  to  govern  himself!  In  order  to 
demonstrate  the  fallacy  of  a  reasoning,  which  is  so 
fond  of  predicting  the  downfall  of  our  own  liberal  sys 
tem,  supported  by  examples  drawn  from  trans-atlan- 
tic  states  of  the  middle  ages,  it  is  necessary  only  to  re 
count  here,  a  little  in  detail,  the  forms  in  which  power 
was  obtained  and  exercised,  in  the  most  important 
of  them  all. 

Distinctions  in  rank,  as  separated  entirely  from 
the  will  of  the  nation,  formed  the  basis  of  Venetian 
polity.  Authority,  though  divided,  was  not  less  a 
birthright,  than  in  those  governments  in  which  it  was 


172  THE  BRAVO. 

openly  avowed  to  be  a  dispensation  of  Providence. 
The  patrician  order  had  its  high  and  exclusive  priv 
ileges,  which  were  guarded  and  maintained  with  a 
most  selfish  and  engrossing  spirit.  He  who  was 
not  born  to  govern,  had  little  hope  of  ever  entering 
into  the  possession  of  his  natural  rights ;  while  he 
who  was,  by  the  intervention  of  chance,  might 
wield  a  power  of  the  most  fearful  and  despotic 
character.  At  a  certain  age,  all  of  senatorial  rank 
(for,  by  a  specious  fallacy,  nobility  did  not  take  its 
usual  appellations)  were  admitted  into  the  councils 
of  the  nation.  The  names  of  the  leading  families 
were  inscribed  in  a  register,  which  was  well  entitled 
the  "  Golden  Book,"  and  he  who  enjoyed  the  envied 
distinction  of  having  an  ancestor  thus  enrolled, 
could,  with  a  few  exceptions  (such  as  that  named  in 
the  case  of  Don  Camillo),  present  himself  in  the 
senate,  and  lay  claim  to  the  honors  of  the  "  Horned 
Bonnet."  Neither  our  limits,  nor  our  object  will 
permit  a  digression  of  sufficient  length  to  point  out 
the  whole  of  the  leading  features  of  a  system  so  vi 
cious,  and  which  was,  perhaps,  only  rendered  tolera 
ble  to  those  it  governed,  by  the  extraneous  contri 
butions  of  captured  and  subsidiary  provinces,  on 
which,  in  truth,  as  in  all  cases  of  metropolitan  rule, 
the  oppression  weighed  most  grievously.  The 
reader  will  at  once  see,  that  the  very  reason  why 
the  despotism  of  the  self-styled  republic  was  tolera 
ble  to  its  own  citizens,  was  but  another  cause  of  its 
eventual  destruction. 

As  the  senate  became  too  numerous  to  conduct, 
with  sufficient  secrecy  and  dispatch,  the  affairs  of  a 
state  that  pursued  a  policy  alike  tortuous  and  com 
plicated,  the  most  general  of  its  important  interests 
were  intrusted  to  a  council  composed  of  three  hun 
dred  of  its  members.  In  order  to  avoid  the  publicity 
and  delay  of  a  body  large  even  as  this,  a  second 
selection  was  made,  which  was  known  as  the  Coun-? 


THE  BRAVO.  173 

cil  of  Ten,  and  to  which  much  of  the  executive 
power,  that  aristocratical  jealousy  withheld  from 
the  titular  chief  of  the  state,  was  confided.  To 
this  point  the  political  economy  of  the  Venetian  re 
public,  however  faulty,  had  at  least  some  merit  for 
simplicity  and  frankness.  The  ostensible  agents  of 
the  administration  were  known,  arid  though  all  real 
responsibility  to  the  nation  was  lost,  in  the  superior 
influence  and  narrow  policy  of  the  patricians,  the 
rulers  could  not  entirely  escape  from  the  odium  that 
public  opinion  might  attach  to  their  unjust  or  illegal 
proceedings.  But  a  state,  whose  prosperity  was 
chiefly  founded  on  the  contribution  and  support  of 
dependants,  and  whose  existence  was  equally  men 
aced  by  its  own  false  principles,  and  by  the  growth 
of  other  and  neighboring  powers,  had  need  of  a  still 
more  efficient  body,  in  the  absence  of  that  executive 
which  its  own  republican  pretensions  denied  to 
Venice.  A  political  inquisition,  which  came  in 
time  to  be  one  of  the  most  fearful  engines  of  police 
ever  known,  was  the  consequence.  An  authority, 
as  irresponsible  as  it  was  absolute,  was  periodical! v 
confided  to  another  and  still  smaller  body,  which 
met  and  exercised  its  despotic  and  secret  functions, 
under  the  name  of  the  Council  of  Three.  The 
choice  of  these  temporary  rulers  was  decided  bv 
lot,  and  in  a  manner  that  prevented  the  result  from 
being  known  to  any  but  to  their  own  number,  and 
to  a  few  of  the  most  confidential  of  the  more  per 
manent  officers  of  the  government  Thus  there 
existed,  at  all  times,  in  the  heart  of  Venice,  a  mys 
terious  and  despotic  power,  that  was  wielded  by 
men  who  moved  in  society  unknown,  and  apparent 
ly  surrounded  by  all  the  ordinary  charities  of  life ; 
but  which,  in  truth,  was  influenced  by  a  set  of  polit 
ical  maxims,  that  were  perhaps  as  ruthless,  as  tyran 
nic,  and  as  selfish  as  ever  were  invented  by  the  evil 
ingenuity  of  man.  It  .was,  in  short,  a  power  that 
P2 


174  TIIE   BRAVO. 

could  only  be  intrusted,  without  abuse,  to  infallible 
virtue  and  infinite  intelligence,  using  the  terms  in  a 
sense  limited  by  human  means  ;  and  yet  it  was  here 
confided  to  men,  whose  title  was  founded  on  the 
double  accident,  of  birth— and  the  colors  of  balls, 
and  by  whom  it  was  wielded,  without  even  the 
check  of  publicity. 

The  Council  of  Three  met  in  secret,  ordinarily 
issued  its  decrees  without  communicating  with  any 
other  body,  and  had  them  enforced  with  a  fearful- 
ness  of  mystery,  and  a  suddenness  of  execution, 
that  resembled  the  blows  of  fate.  The  doge  himself 
was  not  superior  to  its  authority,  nor  protected  from 
its  decisions,  while  it  has  been  known  that  one  of  the 
privileged  three  has  been  denounced  by  his  compan 
ions.  There  is  still  in  existence  a  long  list  of  the 
state  maxims  which  this  secret  tribunal  recognized 
as  its  rule  of  conduct,  and  it  is  not  saying  too  much 
to  affirm,  that  they  set  at  defiance  every  other  con 
sideration  but  expediency, — all  the  recognized  laws 
of  God,  and  every  principle  of  justice,  which  is  es 
teemed  among  men.  The  advances  of  the  human 
intellect,  supported  by  the  means  of  publicity,  may 
temper  the  exercise  of  a  similar  irresponsible  power, 
in  our  own  age,  but  in  no  country  has  this  substitu 
tion,  of  a  soulless  corporation  for  an  elective  repre 
sentation,  been  made,  in  which  a  system  of  rule  has 
not  been  established,  that  sets  at  naught  the  laws  of 
natural  justice  and  the  rights  of  the  citizen.  Any 
pretension  to  the  contrary,  by  placing  profession 
in  opposition  to  practice,  is  only  adding  hypocrisy 
to  usurpation. 

It  appears  to  be  an  unavoidable  general  conse 
quence  that  abuses  should  follow,  when  powrer  is  ex 
ercised  by  a  permanent  and  irresponsible  body, 
from  whom  there  is  no  appeal.  When  this  power 
is  secretly  exercised,  the  abuses  become  still  more 
grave.  It  is  also  worthy  of  remark,  that  in  the  na- 


THE  BRAVO.  175 

tions  which  submit,  or  have  submitted  to  these  un 
due  and  dangerous  influences,  the  pretensions  to 
justice  and  generosity  are  of  the  most  exaggerated 
character ;  for  while  the  fearless  democrat  vents 
his  personal  complaints  aloud,  and  the  voice  of  the 
subject  of  professed  despotism  is  smothered  entirely, 
necessity  itself  dictates  to  the  oligarchist  the  policy 
of  seemliness,  as  one  of  the  conditions  of  his  own 
safety.  Thus  Venice  prided  herself  on  the  justice 
of  St.  Mark,  and  few  states  maintained  a  greater 
show,  or  put  forth  a  more  lofty  claim  to  the  posses 
sion  of  the  sacred  quality,  than  that  whose  real 
maxims  of  government  were  veiled  in  a  mystery 
that  even  the  loose  morality  of  the  age  exacted. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

**  A  power  that  if  but  named 
In  casual  converse,  be  it  where  it  might, 
The  speaker  lower'd,  at  once,  his  voice,  his  eyes, 
And  pointed  upward  as  at  God  in  heaven." 

ROGERS. 

THE  reader  has  probably  anticipated,  that  Anto 
nio  was  now  standing  in  an  antechamber  of  the 
secret  and  stern  tribunal,  described  in  the  preceding 
chapter.  In  common  with  all  of  his  class,  the  fish 
erman  had  a  vague  idea  of  the  existence,  and  of  the 
attributes,  of  the  council  before  which  he  was  to  ap 
pear;  but  his  simple  apprehension  was  far  from 
comprehending  the  extent,  or  the  nature,  of  func 
tions  that  equally  took  cognizance  of  the  most  im 
portant  interests  of  the  republic,  and  of  the  more 
trifling  concerns  of  a  patrician  family.  While  con 
jectures  on  the  probable  result  of  the  expected  in 
terview  were  passing  through  his  mind,  an  inner 


176  THE  BRAVO. 

door  opened,  and  an  attendant  signed  for  Jacopo  to 
advance. 

The  deep  and  imposing  silence  which  instantly 
succeeded  the  entrance  of  the  summoned  into  the 
presence  of  the  Council  of  Three,  gave  time  for  a 
slight  examination  of  the  apartment  and  of  those  it 
contained.  The  room  was  not  large  for  that  coun 
try  and  climate,  but  rather  of  a  size  suited  to  the 
closeness  of  the  councils  that  had  place  within  its 
walls.  The  floor  was  tessellated  with  alternate 
pieces  of  black  and  white  marble ;  the  walls  were 
draped  in  one  common  and  sombre  dress  of  black 
cloth ;  a  single  lamp  of  dark  bronze  was  suspended 
over  a  solitary  table  in  its  centre,  which,  like  every 
other  article  of  the  scanty  furniture,  had  the  same 
melancholy  covering  as  the  wralls.  In  the  angles  of 
the  room  .there  were  projecting  closets,  which  might 
have  been  what  they  seemed,  or  merely  passages 
into  the  other  apartments  of  the  palace.  All  the 
doors  were  concealed  from  casual  observation  by 
the  hangings,  which  gave  one  general  and  chilling 
aspect  of  gloom  to  the  whole  scene.  On  the  side  of 
the  room  opposite  to  that  on  which  Antonio  stood, 
three  men  were  seated  in  curule  chairs ;  but  their 
masks,  and  the  drapery  which  concealed  their 
forms,  prevented  all  recognition  of  their  persons. 
One  of  this  powerful  body  wore  a  robe  of  crimson, 
as  the  representative  that  fortune  had  given  to  the 
select  council  of  the  doge,  and  the  others  robes  of 
black,  being  those  which  had  drawn  the  lucky,  or 
rather  the  unlucky  balls,  in  the  Council  of  Ten,  itself 
a  temporary  and  chance-created  body  of  the  senate. 
There  were  one  or  two  subordinates  near  the  table, 
but  these,  as  well  as  the  still  more  humble  officials 
of  the  place,  were  hid  from  all  ordinary  knowledge, 
by  disguises  similar  to  those  of  the  chiefs.  Jacopo 
regarded  the  scene  like  one  accustomed  to  its  effect, 
though  with  evident  reverence  and  awe;  but  the 


THE  BRAVO.  177 

impression  on  Antonio  was  too  manifest  to  be  lost. 
It  is  probable  that  the  long  pause  which  followed 
his  introduction,  was  intended  to  produce,  and  to 
note  this  effect,  for  keen  eyes  were  intently  watch 
ing  his  countenance  during  its  continuance. 

"  Thou  art  called  Antonio,  of  the  Lagunes?"  de 
manded  one  of  the  secretaries  near  the  table,  when 
a  sign  had  been  secretly  made  from  the  crimson 
member  of  that  fearful  tribunal,  to  proceed. 

"  A  poor  fisherman,  eccellenza,  who  owes  much 
to  blessed  Saint  Antonio  of  the  Miraculous  Draught" 

"  And  thou  hast  a  son  who  bears  thine  own  name, 
and  who  follows  the  same  pursuit?" 

"  It  is  the  duty  of  a  Christian  to  submit  to  the  will 
of  God  !  My  boy  has  been  dead  twelve  years,  come 
the  day  when  the  republic's  galleys  chased  the  infi 
del  from  Corfu  to  Candia.  He  was  slain,  noble  Sig- 
nore,  with  many  others  of  his  calling,  in  that  bloody 
fight." 

There  was  a  movement  of  surprise  among  the 
clerks,  who  whispered  together,  and  appeared  to 
examine  the  papers  in  their  hands,  with  some  haste 
and  confusion.  Glances  were  sent  back  at  the 
judges,  who  sate  motionless,  wrapped  in  the  impen 
etrable  mystery  of  their  functions.  A  secret  sign, 
however,  soon  caused  the  armed  attendants  of  the 
place  to  lead  Antonio  and  his  companion  from  the 
room. 

"  Here  is  some  inadvertency ! "  said  a  stern  voice, 
from  one  of  the  masked  Three,  so  soon  as  the  fall 
of  the  footsteps  of  those  who  retired  was  no  longer 
audible.  "  It  is  not  seemly  that  the  inquisition  of  St» 
Mark  should  show  this  ignorance." 

"  It  touches  merely  the  family  of  an  obscure  fish 
erman,  illustrious  Signore,"  returned  the  trembling 
dependant ;  **  and  it  may  be  that  his  art  would  wish 
to  deceive  us  in  the  opening  interrogatories." 

"  Thou  art  in  error,"  interrupted  another  of  the 


178  THE   BRAVO. 

Three.  "  The  man  is  named  Antonio  Vecchio,  and, 
as  he  sayeth,  his  only  child  died  in  the  hot  affair  with 
the  Ottoman.  He  of  whom  there  is  question,  is  a 
grandson,  and  is  still  a  boy." 

"  The  noble  Signore  is  right !"  returned  the  clerk. 
— "  In  the  hurry  of  affairs,  we  have  misconceived 
a  fact,  which  the  wisdom  of  the  council  has  been 
quick  to  rectify.  St.  Mark  is  happy  in  having 
among  his  proudest  and  oldest  names,  senators  who 
enter  thus  familiarly  into  the  interests  of  his  meanest 
children !" 

"  Let  the  man  be  again  introduced,"  resumed  the 
judge,  slightly  bending  his  head  to  the  compliment. 
These  accidents  are  unavoidable  in  the  press  of  af 
fairs." 

The  necessary  order  was  given,  and  Antonio,  with 
his  companion  constantly  at  his  elbow,  was  brought 
once  more  into  the  presence. 

"  Thy  son  died  in  the  service  of  the  republic,  An 
tonio?"  demanded  the  secretary. 

•**  Signore,  he  did.  Holy  Maria  have  pity  on  his 
early  fate,  and  listen  to  my  prayers !  So  good  a 
child  and  so  brave  a  man  can  have  no  great  need 
of  masses  for  his  soul,  or  his  death  would  have  been 
doubly  grievous  to  me,  since  I  am  too  poor  to  buy 
them." 

"  Thou  hast  a  grandson?" 

"  I  had  one,  noble  senator ;  I  hope  he  still  lives." 

"  He  is  not  with  thee  in  thy  labors  on  the  La- 
gunes'f" 

"  San  Teodoro  grant  that  he  were !  he  is  taken, 
Signore,  with  many  more  of  tender  years,  into  the 
galleys,  whence  may  our  Lady  give  him  a  safe  de 
liverance  !  If  your  eccellenza  has  an  opportunity  to 
speak  with  the  general  of  the  galleys,  or  with  any 
other  who  may  have  authority  in  such  a  matter,  on 
my  knees,  I  pray  you  to  speak  in  behalf  of  the  child, 
who  is  a  good  and  pious  lad,  that  seldom  casts  a  line 


THE    BRAVO.  17& 

into  the  water,  without  an  ave  or  a  prayer  to  St, 
Anthony,  and  who  has  never  given  me  uneasiness, 
until  he  fell  into  the  grip  of  St.  Mark  " 

"  Rise — This  is  not  the  affair  in  which  I  have  to 
question  thee.  Thou  hast  this  day  spoken  of  thy 
prayer  to  our  most  illustrious  prince,  the  doge  ?" 

"I  have  prayed  his  highness  to  give  the  boy  lib 
erty." 

"  And  this  thou  hast  done  openly,  and  with  little 
deference  to  the  high  dignity  and  sacred  character 
of  the  chief  of  the  republic?" 

"  I  did  it  like  a  father  and  a  man.  If  but  half  what 
they  say  of  the  justice  and  kindness  of  the  state  were 
true,  his  highness  would  have  heard  me  as  a  father 
and  a  man." 

A  slight  movement  among  the  fearful  Three,  caus 
ed  the  secretary  to  pause  ;  when  he  saw,  however, 
that  his  superiors  chose  to  maintain  their  silence,  he 
continued — 

"  This  didst  thou  once  in  public  and  among  the 
senators,  but  when  repulsed,  as  urging  a  petition  both 
out  of  place  and  out  of  reason,  thou  soughtest  other 
to  prefer  thy  request?" 

"  True,  illustrious  Signore." 

"  Thou  earnest  among  the  gondoliers  of  the  regatta 
in  an  unseemly  garb,  and  placed  thyself  foremost 
with  those  who  contended  for  the  favor  of  the  senate 
and  its  prince?" 

"  I  came  in  the  garb  which  I  wear  before  the  Vir 
gin  and  St.  Antonio,  and  if  I  was  foremost  in  the  race, 
it  was  more  owing  to  the  goodness  and  favor  of  the 
man  at  my  side,  than  any  virtue  which  is  still  left  in 
these  withered  sinews  and  dried  bones.  San  Marco 
remember  him  in  his  need,  for  the  kind  wish,  and 
soften  the  hearts  of  the  great  to  hear  the  prayer  of 
a  childless  parent !" 

There  was  another  slight  expression  of  surprise, 


180  THE  BRAVO. 

or  curiosity,  among  the  inquisitors,  and  once  more 
the  secretary  suspended  his  examination. 

"  Thou  hearest,  Jacopo,"  said  one  of  the  Three. 
"  What  answer  dost  thou  make  the  fisherman  ?" 

"  Signore,  he  speaketh  truth." 

"  And  thou  hast  dared  to  trifle  with  the  pleasures 
of  the  city,  and  to  set  at  naught  the  wishes  of  the 
doge!" 

"  If  it  be  a  crime,  illustrious  senator,  to  have  pitied 
an  old  man  who  mourned  for  his  offspring,  and  to 
have  given  up  my  own  solitary  triumph  to  his  love 
for  the  boy,  I  am  guilty." 

There  was  a  long  and  silent  pause  after  this  reply. 
Jacopo  had  spoken  with  habitual  reverence,  but  with 
the  grave  composure  that  appeared  to  enter  deeply 
into  the  composition  of  his  character.  The  pale 
ness  of  the  cheek  was  the  same,  and  the  glowing 
eyre,  which  so  singularly  lighted  and  animated  a 
countenance  that  possessed  a  hue  not  unlike  that  of 
death,  scarce  varied  its  gaze,  while  he  answered. 
A  secret  sign  caused  the  secretary  to  proceed  with 
his  duty. 

"  And  thou  owest  thy  success  in  the  regatta,  An 
tonio,  to  the  favor  of  thy  competitor — he  who  is  now 
with  thee,  in  the  presence  of  the  council  ?" 

"  Under  San  Teodoro  and  St.  Antonio,  the  city's 
patron  and  my  own." 

'l  And  thy  whole  desire  was  to  urge  again  thy  re 
jected  petition  in  behalf  of  the  young  sailor  ?" 

"  Signore,  I  had  no  other.  What  is  the  vanity 
of  a  triumph  among  the  gondoliers,  or  the  bauble 
of  a  mimic  oar  and  chain,  to  one  of  my  years  and 
condition?" 

"  Thou  forgettest  that  the  oar  and  chain  are 
gold?" 

"Excellent  gentlemen,  gold  cannot  heal  the  wounds 
which  misery  has  left  on  a  heavy  heart.  Give  me 
back  the  child,  that  my  eyes  may  not  be  closed  by 


THE  BRAVO.  181 

strangers,  and  that  I  may  speak  good  counsel  into 
his  young  ears,  while  there  is  hope  my  words  may  be 
remembered,  and  I  care  not  for  all  the  metals  of  the 
Rialto !  Thou  mayest  see  that  I  utter  no  vain 
vaunt,  by  this  jewel,  which  I  offer  to  the  nobles, 
with  the  reverence  due  to  their  greatness  and  wis 
dom." 

When  the  fisherman  had  done  speaking,  he  ad 
vanced,  with  the  timid  step  of  a  man  unaccustomed 
to  move  in  superior  presences,  and  laid  upon  the 
dark  cloth  of  the  table  a  ring  that  sparkled  with, 
what  at  least  seemed  to  be,  very  precious  stones. 
The  astonished  secretary  raised  the  jewel,  and  held 
it  in  suspense  before  the  eyes  of  the  judges. 

"  How  is  this  ?"  exclaimed  he  of  the  Three,  who 
had  oftenest  interfered  in  the  examination ;  "  that 
seemeth  the  pledge  of  our  nuptials  !" 

"  It  is  no  other,  illustrious  senator :  with  this  ring 
did  the  doge  wed  the  Adriatic,  in  the  presence  of  the 
ambassadors  and  the  people." 

"  Hadst  thou  aught  to  do  with  this,  also  Jacopo?" 
sternly  demanded  the  judge. 

The  Bravo  turned  his  eye  on  the  jewel  with  a  look 
of  interest,  but  his  voice  maintained  its  usual  depth 
and  steadiness  as  he  answered, 

"  Signore,  no — until  now,  I  knew  not  the  fortune 
of  the  fisherman." 

A  sign  to  the  secretary  caused  him  to  resume  his 
questions. 

"  Thou  must  account,  and  clearly  account,  Anto 
nio,"  he  said,  "  for  the  manner  in  which  this  sacred 
ring  came  into  thy  possession ;  hadst  thou  any  one 
to  aid  thee  in  obtaining  it?" 

"  Signore,  I  had." 

"  Name  him,  at  once,  that  we  take  measures  for 
his  security." 

"  'Twill  be  useless,  Signore  ;  he  is  far  above  the 
power  of  Venice." 

VOL.  I.  Q 


182  THE    BRAVO. 

"  What  meanest  thou,  fellow  ?  None  are  superior 
to  the  right  and  the  force  of  the  republic  that  dwell 
within  her  limits.  Answer  without  evasion,  as  thou 
valuest  thy  person." 

"  I  should  prize  that  which  is  of  little  value,  Sig- 
nore,  and  be  guilty  of  a  great  folly,  as  well  as  of  a 
great  sin,  were  I  to  deceive  you,  to  save  a  body  old 
and  worthless  as  mine  from  stripes.  If  your  excel 
lencies  are  willing  to  hear,  you  will  find  that  I  am 
no  less  willing  to  tell  the  manner  in  which  I  got  the 


ring." 


"  Speak,  then,  and  trifle  not." 

"  I  know  not,  Signori,  whether  you  are  used  to 
hearing  untruths,  that  you  caution  me  so  much 
not  to'  deal  with  them  ;  but  we  of  the  Lagunes  are 
not  afraid  to  say  what  we  have  seen  and  done,  for 
most  of  our  business  is  with  the  winds  and  waves, 
which  take  their  orders  from  God  himself.  There 
is  a  tradition,  Signori,  among  us  fishermen,  that  in 
times  past,  one  of  our  body  brought  up  from  the  bay, 
the  ring  with  which  the  doge  is  accustomed  to  mar 
ry  the  Adriatic.  A  jewel  of  that  value  was  of  little 
use  to  one  who  casts  his  nets  daily  for  bread  and  oil, 
and  he  brought  it  to  the  doge,  as  became  a  fisher 
man,  into  whose  hands  the  saints  had  thrown  a  prize 
to  which  he  had  no  title,  as  it  were  to  prove  his  hon 
esty.  This  act  of  our  companion  is  much  spoken 
of  on  the  Lagunes  and  at  the  Lido,  and  it  is  said 
there  is  a  noble  painting  done  by  some  of  our  Vene 
tian  masters,  in  the  halls  of  the  palace,  which  tells 
the  story  as  it  happened ;  showing  the  prince  on  his 
throne,  and  the  lucky  fisherman  with  his  naked  legs, 
rendering  back  to  his  highness  that  which  had  been 
lost.  I  hope  there  is  foundation  for  this  belief,  Sig 
nori,  which  greatly  flatters  our  pride,  and  is  not  with 
out  use  in  keeping  some  among  us  truer  to  the  right, 
and  better  favored  in  the  eyes  of  St.  Anthony,  than 
might  otherwise  be." 


THE    BRAVO.  185 

"  The  fact  was  so." 

"  And  the  painting,  excellent  SIgnore  ?  I  hope  our 
vanity  has  not  deceived  us  concerning  the  picture, 
neither?" 

"  The  picture  you  mention  is  to  be  seen  within 
the  palace." 

"  Corpo  di  Bacco  !  I  have  had  my  misgivings  on 
that  point,  for  it  is  not  common  that  the  rich  and  the 
happy  should  take  such  note  of  what  the  humble  and 
the  poor  have  done.  Is  the  work  from  the  hands  of 
the  great  Tiziano  himself,  eccellenza?" 

"  It  is  not ;  one  of  little  name  hath  put  his  pencil 
to  the  canvas." 

"  They  say  that  Tiziano  had  the  art  of  giving  to 
his  works  the  look  and  richness  of  flesh,  and  one 
would  think  that  a  just  man  might  find,  in  the  hones 
ty  of  the  poor  fisherman,  a  color  bright  enough  to 
have  satisfied  even  his  eye.  But  it  may  be  that  the 
senate  saw  danger  in  thus  flattering  us  of  the  La- 
gunes." 

"  Proceed  with  the  account  of  thine  own  fortune 
with  the  ring." 

"  Illustrious  nobles,  I  have  often  dreamed  of  the 
luck  of  my  fellow  of  the  old  times ;  and  more  than 
once  have  I  drawn  the  nets  with  an  eager  hand  in 
my  sleep,  thinking  to  find  that  very  jewel  entangled 
in  its  meshes,  or  ernbowelled  by  some  fish.  What  1 
have  so  often  fancied  has  at  last  happened.  I  am 
an  old  man,  Signori,  and  there  are  few  pools  or 
banks  between  Fusina  and  Giorgio,  that  my  lines  or 
my  nets  have  not  fathomed  or  covered.  The  spot 
to  which  the  Bucentoro  is  wont  to  steer  in  these  cer 
emonies  is  well  known  to  me,  and  I  had  a  care  to 
cover  the  bottom  round  about  with  all  my  nets  in 
the  hope  of  drawing  up  the  ring.  When  his  high 
ness  cast  the  jewel,  I  dropped  a  buoy  to  mark  the 
spot — Signori,  this  is  all — my  accomplice  was  Su 
Anthony." 


184  THE   BRAVO. 

"  For  doing  this  you  had  a  motive  ? 

"  Holy  Mother  of  God  !  Was  it  not  sufficient  to 
get  back  my  boy  from  the  gripe  of  the  galleys?" 
exclaimed  Antonio,  with  an  energy  and  a  simplicity 
that  are  often  found  to  be  in  the  same  character. 
"  I  thought  that  if  the  doge  and  the  senate  were 
willing  to  cause  pictures  to  be  painted,  and  honors 
to  be  given  to  one  poor  fisherman  for  the  ring,  they 
might  be  glad  to  reward  another,  by  releasing  a  lad 
who  can  be  of  no  great  service  to  the  republic,  but 
who  is  all  to  his  parent." 

"  Thy  petition  to  his  highness,  thy  strife  in  the 
regatta,  and  thy  search  for  the  ring,  had  the  same 
object?" 

"  To  r  ie,  Signore,  life  has  but  one." 

There  was  a  slight  but  suppressed  movement 
among  the  council. 

"  When  thy  request  was  refused  by  his  highness 
as  ill-timed — " 

"  Ah !  eccellcnza,  when  one  has  a  white  head  and 
fa  failing  arm,  he  cannot  stop  to  look  for  the  proper 
moment  in  such  a  cause !"  interrupted  the  fisherman, 
with  a  gleam  of  that  impetuosity  which  forms  the 
true  base  of  Italian  character. 

"  When  thy  request  was  denied,  and  thou  hadst 
refused  the  reward  of  the  victor,  thou  went  among 
thy  fellows  and  fed  their  ears  with  complaints  of  the 
injustice  of  St.  Mark,  and  of  the  senate's  tyranny?" 

"  Signore,  no.  I  went  away  sad  and  heart-broken, 
for  I  had  not  thought  the  doge  and  nobles  would 
have  refused  a  successful  gondolier  so  light  a  boon." 

"And  this  thou  didst  not  hesitate  to  proclaim 
among  the  fishermen  and  idlers  of  the  Lido?" 

"  Eccellenza,  it  was  not  needed — my  fellows  knew 
my  unhappiness,  and  tongues  wrere  not  wanting  to 
tell  the  worst." 

"  There  was  a  tumult,  with  thee  at  its  head,  and 
sedition  was  uttered,  with  much  vain-boasting  of 


THE    BRAVO.  185 

what  the  fleet  of  the  Lagunes  could  perform  against 
the  fleet  of  the  republic." 

"  There  is  little  difference,  Signore,  between  the 
two,  except  that  the  men  of  the  one  go  in  gondolas 
with  nets,  and  the  men  of  the  other  are  in  the  gal 
leys  of  the  state.  Why  should  brothers  seek  each 
other's  blood  1" 

The  movement  among  the  judges  was  more  mani 
fest  than  ever.  They  whispered  together,  and  a 
paper  containing  a  few  lines  written  rapidly  in 
pencil,  was  put  into  the  hands  of  the  examining 
secretary. 

"  Thou  didst  address  thy  fellows,  and  spoke  open 
ly  of  thy  fancied  wrongs ;  thou  didst  comment  on- 
the  laws  which  require  the  services  of  the  citizens, 
when  the  republic  is  compelled  to  send  forth  a  fleet 
against  its  enemies." 

"  It  is  not  easy  to  be  silent,  Signore.  when  the 
heart  is  full." 

"  And  there  was  consultation  among  thee  of  coin 
ing  to  the  palace  in  a  body,  and  of  asking  the  dis 
charge  of  thy  grandson  from  the  doge,  in  the  name 
of  the  rabble  of  the  Lido." 

"  Signore,  there  were  some  generous  enough  to 
make  the  offer,  but  others  were  of  advice  it  would 
be  well  to  reflect  before  they  took  so  bold  a  measure." 

"And  thou — what  was  thine  own  counsel  on  that 
point?" 

"  Eccellenza,  I  am  old,  and  though  unused  to  be 
thus  questioned  by  illustrious  senators,  I  had  seen 
enough  of  the  manner  in  which  St.  Mark  governs, 
to  believe  a  few  unarmed  fishermen  and  gondoliers 
would  not  be  listened  to  with — " 

"  Ha !  Did  the  gondoliers  become  of  thy  party  T 
I  should  have  believed  them  jealous,  and  displeased 
with  the  triumph  of  one  who  was  not  of  their  body." 

"  A  gondolier  is  a  man,  and  though  they  had  the 
feelings  of  human  nature  on  being  beaten,  they  had 
Q  2 


186  TI1L*   BRAVO. 

also  the  feelings  of  human  nature  when  they  heard 
that  a  father  was  robbed  of  iiis  son. — Signore,"  con 
tinued  Antonio,  with  great  earnestness  and  a  singu 
lar  simplicity,  "  there  will  be  great  discontent  "on 
the  canals,  if  the  galleys  sail  with  the  boy  aboard 
them!" 

"  Such  is  thy  opinion ; — wrere  the  gondoliers  on 
the  Lido  numerous '? " 

"  When  the  sports  ended,  eccellenza,  they  came 
over  by  hundreds,  and  I  will  do  the  generous  fel 
lows  the  justice  to  say,  that  they  had  forgotten  their 
want  of  luck  in  the  love  of  justice.  Diamine  !  these 
gondoliers  are  not  so  bad  a  class  as  some  pretend, 
but  they  are  men  like  ourselves,  and  can  feel  for  a 
Christian  as  well  as  another!" 

The  secretary  paused,  for  his  task  was  done ;  and 
a  deep  silence  pervaded  the  gloomy  apartment. 
After  a  short  pause  one  of  the  three  resumed — 

"  Antonio  Vecchio,"  he  said  "  thou  hast  served 
thyself  in  these  said  galleys,  to  \vhich  thou  now 
seemest  so  averse — and  served  bravely,  as  I  learn  ?" 

"  Signore,  I  have  done  my  duty  by  St.  Mark.  I 
played  my  part  against  the  irilidel,  but.  it  wras  after 
my  beard  wras  grown,  ami  at  an  age  when  I  had 
learnt  to  knowr  good  from  evil.  There  is  no  duty 
more  cheerfully  performed  by  us  all,  than  to  defend 
the  islands  and  the  Lagunes  against  the  enemy." 

"  And  all  the  republic's  dominions. — Thou  canst 
make  no  distinctions  between  any  of  the  rights  of 
the  state." 

"  There  is  a  wisdom  granted  to  the  great,  which 
God  hath  denied  the  poor  and  the  weak,  Signore. 
To  me  it  does  not  seern  clear  that  Venice,  a  city 
built  on  a  few  islands,  hath  any  more  right  to  carry 
her  rule  into  Crete  or  Caridia,  than  the  Turk  hath  to 
come  here." 

"  How  !  Dost  thou  dare,  on  the  Lido,  to  question 
the  claim  of  the  republic  to  her  conquests !  or  do 


THE   BRAVO.  187 

the  irreverent  fishermen  dare  thus  to  speak  lightly 
of  her  glory ! " 

"  Eccellenza,  I  know  little  of  rights  that  come  by 
violence.  God  hath  given  us  the  Lagunes,  but  I 
know  not  that  he  has  given  us  more.  This  glory  of 
which  you  speak  may  sit  lightly  on  the  shoulders 
of  a  senator,  but  it  weighs  heavily  on  a  fisherman's 
heart." 

"  Thou  speakest,  bold  man,  of  that  which  thou 
dost  not  comprehend." 

"  It  is  unfortunate,  Signore,  that  the  powrer  to  un 
derstand  hath  not  been  given  to  those  who  have 
so  much  power  to  suffer." 

An  anxious  pause  succeeded  this  reply. 

"  Thou  mayest  withdraw,  Antonio,"  said  he,  who 
apparently  presided  in  the  dread  councils  of  the 
Three.  "  Thou  wilt  not  speak  of  what  has  happen 
ed,  and  thou  wilt  await  the  inevitable  justice  of  St. 
Mark,  in  full  confidence  of  its  execution." 

"  Thanks,  illustrious  senator ;  I  will  obey  your 
excellency ;  but  my  heart  is  full,  and  I  would  fain 
say  a  few  words  concerning  the  child,  beforp  I  quit 
this  noble  company." 

"  Thou  mayest  speak — and  here  thou  mayest  give 
free  vent  to  all  thy  wishes,  or  to  ad  thy  griefs,  if  any 
thou  hast.  St.  Mark  has  no  greater  pleasure  than 
to  listen  to  the  wishes  of  his  children." 

"  I  believe  they  have  reviled  the  republic  in  call 
ing  its  chiefs  heartless,  and  sold  to  ambition!"  said 
the  old  man,  with  generous  warmth,  disregarding 
the  stern  rebuke  which  gleamed  in  the  eye  of  Ja- 
copo.  "  A  senator  is  but  a  man,  and  there  are 
fathers  and  children  among  them,  as  among  us  of 
the  Lagunes." 

**  Speak,  but  refrain  from  seditious  or  discredita 
ble  discourse,"  uttered  a  secretary,  in  a  half-whis 
per.  "  Proceed." 

"  I  have  little  now  to  offer,  Si<niori ;  I  am  not 


188  THE    BRAVO. 

used  to  boast  of  my  services  to  the  state,  excellent 
gentlemen,  hut  there  is  a  time  when  human  modesty 
must  give  way  to  huma»)  nature.  These  scars  were 
got  in  one  of  the  proudest  days  of  St.  Mark,  and  in 
the  foremost  of  all  the  galleys  that  fought  among 
the  Greek  islands.  The  father  of  my  boy  wept  over 
me  then,  as  I  have  since  wept  over  his  own  son — 
yes — 1  might  be  ashamed  to  own  it  among  men ; 
but  if  the  truth  must  be  spoken,  the  loss  of  the  boy 
has  drawn  bitter  tears  from  me  in  the  darkness  of 
night,  and  in  the  solitude  of  the  Lagunes.  I  lay 
many  weeks,  Signori,  less  a  man  than  a  corpse,  and 
when  I  got  back  again  to  my  nets  and  my  toil,  I 
did  not  withhold  my  son  from  the  call  of  the  repub 
lic.  He  went  in  my  place  to  meet  the  infidel — a 
service  from  which  he  never  came  back.  This  was 
the  duty  of  men  who  had  grown  in  experience,  and 
who  were  not  to  be  deluded  into  wickedness  by  the 
evil  company  of  the  galleys.  But  this  calling  of 
children  into  the  snares  of  the  devil  grieves  a  father, 
and — I  will  own  the  weakness,  if  such  it  be — I  am 
not  of  a  courage  and  pride  to  send  forth  my  own 
flesh  arid  blood  into  the  danger  and  corruption  of 
war  and  evil  society,  as  in  days  when  the  stoutness 
of  the  heart  was  like  the  stoutness  of  the  limbs. 
Give  me  back,  then,  my  boy,  till  he  has  seen  my  old 
head  laid  beneath  the  sands,  and  until,  by  the  aid  of 
blessed  St.  Anthony,  and  such  councils  as  a  poor 
1  man  can  offer,  I  may  give  him  more  steadiness  in 
his  love  of  the  right,  and  until  I  may  have  so  shaped 
his  life,  that  he  will  not  be  driven  about  by  every 
pleasant  or  treacherous  wind  that  may  happen  to 
blow  upon  his  bark.  Signori,  you  are  rich,  and 
powerful,  and  honored,  and  though  you  may  be 
placed  in  the  way  of  temptations  to  do  wrongs  that 
are  suited  to  your  high  names  and  illustrious  for 
tunes,  ye  know  little  of  the  trials  of  the  poor.  What 
are  the  temptations  of  the  blessed  St.  Anthony  Ijim- 


THE  BRAVO.  189 

self,  to  those  of  the  evil  company  of  the  galleys  ! 
And  now,  Signori,  though  you  may  be  angr^  to 
hear  it,  1  will  say,  that  when  an  aged  man  has  no 
other  kin  on  earth,  or  none  so  near  as  to  feel  the 
glow  of  the  thin  blood  of  the  poor,  than  one  poor 
boy,  St.  Mark  would  do  well  to  remember  that  even 
a  fisherman  of  the  Lagunes  can  feel  as  well  as  the 
doge  on  his  throne.  This  much  I  say,  illustrious 
senators,  in  sorrow,  and  not  in  anger ;  for  I  would 
get  back  the  child,  and  die  in  peace  with  my  supe 
riors,  as  with  my  equals." 

"  Thou  mayest  depart,"  said  one  of  the  Three. 

"  Not  yet,  Signore,  I  have  still  more  to  say  of 
the  men  of  the  Lagunes,  who  speak  with  loud  voices 
concerning  this  dragging  of  boys  into  the  service  of 
the  galleys." 

"  We  will  hear  their  opinions." 

"  Noble  gentlemen,  if  I  were  to  utter  all  they  have 
said,  word  for  word,  I  might  do  some  disfavor  to 
your  ears !  Man  is  man,  though  the  Virgin  and  the 
saints  listen  to  his  aves  and  prayers  from  beneath  a 
jacket  of  serge  and  a  fisherman's  cap.  But  I  know 
too  well  my  duty  to  the  senate  to  speak  so  plainly. 
But,  Signori,  they  say,  saving  the  bluntness  of  their 
language,  that  St.  Mark  should  have  ears  for  the 
meanest  of  his  people  as  well  as  for  the  richest  no 
ble  ;  and  that  not  a  hair  should  fall  from  the  head 
of  a  fisherman,  without  its  being  counted  as  if  it 
were  a  lock  from  beneath  the  horned  bonnet ;  and 
that  where  God  hath  not  made  marks  of  his  displea 
sure,  man  should  not." 

"  Do  they  dare  to  reason  thus?" 

"  I  know  not  if  it  be  reason,  illustrious  Signore, 
but  it  is  what  they  say,  and,  eccellenza,  it  is  holy 
truth.  We  are  poor  workmen  of  the  Lagunes,  who 
rise  with  the  day  to  cast  our  nets,  and  return  at 
night  to  hard  beds  and  harder  fare ;  but  with  this 
Xve  might  be  content,  did  the  senate  count  us  as 


190  THE   BRAVO. 

Christians  and  men.  That  God  hath  not  given  to  afl 
the  same  chances  in  life,  I  well  know,  for  it  often  hap 
pens  that  I  draw  an  empty  net,  when  my  comrades 
are  groaning  with  the  weight  of  their  draughts ;  but 
this  is  done  to  punish  my  sins,  or  to  humble  my 
heart,  whereas  it  exceeds  the  power  of  man  to  look 
into  the  secrets  of  the  soul,  or  to  foretell  the  evil  of 
the  still  innocent  child.  Blessed  St.  Anthony  knows 
how  many  years  of  suffering  this  visit  to  the  galleys 
may  cause  to  the  child  in  the  end.  Think  of  these 
things,  I  pray  you,  Signori,  and  send  men  of  tried 
principles  to  the  wars." 

"  Thou  mayest  retire,"  rejoined  the  judge. 

"  I  should  be  sorry  that  any  who  cometh  of  my 
blood,"  continued  the  inattentive  Antonio,  "  should 
be  the  cause  of  ill-will  between  them  that  rule  and 
them  that  are  born  to  obey.  But  nature  is  sti  onger 
even  than  the  law,  and  I  should  discredit  her  feel 
ings  were  I  to  go  without  speaking  as  becomes  a 
father.  Ye  have  taken  my  child  and  sent  him  to 
serve  the  state  at  the  hazard  of  body  and  soul,  with 
out  giving  opportunity  for  a  parting  kiss,  or  a  part 
ing  blessing — ye  have  used  my  flesh  and  blood  as 
ye  would  use  the  wood  of  the  arsenal,  and  sent  it 
forth  upon  the  sea  as  if  it  were  the  insensible  metal 
of  the  balls  ye  throw  against  the  infidel.  Ye  have 
shut  your  ears  to  my  prayers,  as  if  they  were  words 
uttered  by  the  wicked,  and  when  I  have  exhorted 
you  on  my  knees,  wearied  my  stiffened  limbs  to  do 
ye  pleasure,  rendered  ye  the  jewel  which  St.  Antho 
ny  gave  to  my  net,  that  it  might  soften  your  hearts, 
and  reasoned  with  you  calmly  on  the  nature  of  your 
acts,  you  turn  from  me  coldly,  as  if  I  were  unfit-Ho 
stand  forth  in  defence  of  the  offspring  that  God  hath 
left  my  age !  This  is  not  the  boasted  justice  of  St. 
Mark,  Venetian  senators,  but  hardness  of  heart  and 
a  wasting  of  the  meanb  of  the  poor,  that  would  ill 
become  the  most  grasping  Hebrew  of  the  Rialto!'* 


THE   BRAVO.  191 

"  Hast  thou  aught  more  to  urge,  Antonio  ?"  asked 
the  judge,  with  the  wily  design,  of  unmasking  the 
fisherman's  entire  soul. 

"  Is  it  not  enough,  Signore,  that  I  urge  my  years, 
my  poverty,  my  scars,  and  my  love  for  the  boy  ?  I 
know  ye  not,  but  though  ye  are  hid  behind  the  folds 
of  your  robes  and  masks,  still  must  ye  be  men. 
There  may  be  among  ye  a  father,  or  perhaps  some 
one  who  hath  a  still  more  sacred  charge,  the  child 
of  a  dead  son.  To  him  I  speak.  In  vain  ye  talk  of 
justice  when  the  weight  of  your  power  falls  on  them 
least  able  to  bear  it ;  and  though  ye  may  delude 
yourselves,  the  meanest  gondolier  of  the  canal 
knows — " 

He  was  stopped  from  uttering  more  by  his  com 
panion,  who  rudely  placed  a  hand  on  his  mouth. 

"Why  hast  thou  presumed  to  stop  the  complaints 
of  Antonio?"  sternly  demanded  the  judge. 

"  It  was  not  decent,  illustrious  senators,  to  listen 
to  such  disrespect  in  so  noble  a  presence,"  Jacopo 
answered,  bending  reverently  as  he  spoke.  "  This 
old  fisherman,  dread  Signori,  is  warmed  by  love  for 
his  offspring,  and  he  will  utter  that  which,  in  his 
cooler  moments,  he  will  repent." 

"  St.  Mark  fears  not  the  truth !  If  he  has  more  to 
say,  let  him  declare  it." 

But  the  excited  Antonio  began  to  reflect.  The 
flush  which  had  ascended  to  his  weather-beaten 
cheek  disappeared,  and  his  naked  breast  ceased  to 
heave.  He  stood  like  one  rebuked,  more  by  his  dis 
cretion  than  his  conscience,  with  a  calmer  eye,  and 
a  face  that  exhibited  the  composure  of  his  years, 
and  the  respect  of  his  condition — 

"  If  I  have  offended,  great  patricians,"  he  said, 
more  mildly,  "  I  pray  you  to  forget  the  zeal  of  an 
ignorant  old  man,  whose  feelings  are  master  of  his 
breeding,  and  who  knows  less  how  to  render  the 
truth  agreeable  to  noble  ears,  than  to  utter  it." 


192  THE    BRAVO. 

"  Thou  mayest  depart." 

The  armed  attendants  advanced,  and,  obedient  to 
a  sign  from  the  secretary,  they  led  Antonio  and  his 
companion  through  the  door  by  which  they  had  en 
tered.  The  other  officials  of  the  place  followed, 
and  the  secret  judges  were  left  by  themselves  in  the 
chamber  of  doom. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

"  O !  the  days  that  we  have  seen." 

SHELTON. 

A  PAUSE  like  that  which  accompanies  self-contem 
plation,  and  perhaps  conscious  distrust  of  purpose, 
succeeded.  Then  the  Three  arose,  together,  and 
be^an  to  lay  aside  the  instruments  of  their  disguise. 
When  the  masks  were  removed,  they  exposed  the 
grave  visages  of  men  in  the  decline  of  life,  athwart 
which  worldly  cares  and  worldly  passions  had 
drawn  those  deep  lines,  which  no  subsequent  ease 
or  resignation  can  erase.  During  the  process  of 
unrobing  neither  spoke,  for'  the  affair,  on  which  they 
had  just  been  employed,  caused  novel  and  disagree 
able  sensations  to  them  all.  When  they  were  de 
livered  from  their  superfluous  garments  and  their 
masks,  however,  they  drew  near  the  table,  and  each 
sought  that  relief  for  his  limbs  and  person  which  was 
natural  to  the  long  restraint  he  had  undergone. 

"  There  are  letters  from  the  French  king  inter 
cepted,"  said  one,  after  time  had  permitted  them  to 
rally  their  thoughts; — "  it  would  appear  they  treat 
of  the  new  intentions  of  the  emperor." 

"  Have  they  been  restored  to  the  ambassador  ?  or 


THE    BfcAVO.  193 

are  the  originals  to  go  before  the  senate  ?"  demand 
ed  another. 

"  On  that  we  must  take  counsel,  at  our  leisure.  I 
have  naught  else  to  communicate,  except  that  the 
order  given  to  intercept  the  messenger  of  the  Holy 
See  hath  failed  of  its  object." 

"  Of  this  the  secretaries  advertised  me.  We  must 
look  into  the  negligence  of  the  agents,  for  there  is 
good  reason  to  believe  much  useful  knowledge  would 
have  come  from  that  seizure." 

"  As  the  attempt  is  already  known  and  much  spo 
ken  of,  care  must  be  had  to  issue  orders  for  the  ar 
rest  of  the  robbers,  else  may  the  republic  fall  into 
disrepute  with  its  friends.  There  are  names  on  our 
list  which  might  be  readily  marked  for  punishment, 
for  that  quarter  of  our  patrimony  is  never  in  want  of 
proscribed,  to  conceal  an  accident  of  this  nature." 

"  Good  heed  will  be  had  to  this,  since,  as  you  say, 
the  affair  is  weighty.  The  government  or  the  indi 
vidual  that  is  negligent  of  reputation,  cannot  expect 
long  to  retain  the  respect  of  its  equals." 

"  The  ambition  of  the  House  of  Hapsburgh  robs 
me  of  my  sleep!"  exclaimed  the  other,  throwing 
aside  some  papers,  over  wrhich  his  eye  had  glanced, 
in  disgust.  "  Holy  St.  Theodore !  what  a  scourge 
to  the  race  is  the  desire  to  augment  territories  and 
to  extend  an  unjust  rule,  beyond  the  boundaries  of 
reason  and  nature !  Here  have  we,  in  Venice,  been 
in  undisputed  possession  of  provinces  that  are  adapt 
ed  to  our  institutions,  convenient  to  our  wants,  and 
agreeable  to  our  desires,  for  ages; — provinces  that 
were  gallantly  won  by  our  ^.icestors,  and  which 
cling  to  us  as  habits  linger  in  our  age :  and  yet  are 
they  become  objects  of  a  covetous  ambition  to  our 
neighbor,  under  a  vain  pretext  of  a  policy,  that  I 
fear  is  strengthened  by  our  increasing  weakness.  I 
sicken,  Signori,  of  my  esteem  for  men,  as  I  dive 
deeper  into  their  tempers  and  desires,  and  often  wish 

VOL.  I.  R 


194  THE    BRAVO.  ^ 

myself  a  dog,  as  I  study  their  propensities.  In  his 
appetite  for  power,  is  not  the  Austrian  the  most  rapa 
cious  of  all  the  princes  of  the  earth?" 

"  More  so,  think  you,  worthy  Signore,  than  the 
Castilian?  You  overlook  the  unsatiated  desire  of  the 
Spanish  king  to  extend  his  sway  in  Italy.'1 

"  Hapsburgh  or  Bourbon ;  Turk  or  Englishman ; 
they  all  seem  actuated  by  the  same  fell  appetite  for 
dominion;  and  now  that  Venice  hath  no  more  to 
hope,  than  to  preserve  her  present  advantages,  the 
least  of  all  our  enjoyments  becomes  a  subject  of 
covetous  envy  to  our  enemies.  There  are  passions 
to  weary  one  of  an  interference  with  governments, 
and  to  send  him  to  his  cord  of  penitence  and  the 
cloisters ! " 

"  I  never  listen  to  your  observations,  Signore, 
without  quitting  the  chamber  an  edified  man  !  Truly 
this  desire  in  the  strangers  to  trespass  on  our  priv 
ileges,  and  it  may  be  well  said,  privileges  which 
have  been  gained  by  our  treasures  and  our  blood, 
becomes  more  manifest,  daily.  Should  it  not  be 
checked,  St.  Mark  will  be  stripped,  in  the  end,  of 
even  a  landing-place  for  a  gondola  on  the  main." 

"The" leap  of  the  winged  lion  is  much  curtailed, 
excellent  Sir,  or  these  things  might  not  be !  It  is  no 
longer  in  our  power  to  persuade,  or  to  command,  as 
of  old,  and  our  canals  begin  to  be  encumbered  with 
slimy  weeds,  instead  of  well-freighted  argosies,  and 
swift-sailing  feluccas." 

"  The  Portuguese  hath  done  us  irretrievable  harm, 
for  without  his  African  discoveries,  we  might  yet 
have  retained  the  traffic  in  Indian  commodities.  I 
cordially  dislike  the  mongrel  race,  being,  as  it  is, 
half  Gothic  and  half  Moorish  !  " 

"  I  trust  not  myself  to  think  of  their  origin  or  of 
their  deeds,  my  friends,  lest  prejudice  should  kindle 
feelings  unbecoming  a  man  and  a  Christian. — How 
now,  Signor  Gradenigo;  thou  art  thoughtful?" 


THE    BRAVO.  195 

The  third  member  of  the  secret  council,  who  had 
not  spoken  since  the  disappearance  of  the  accused, 
and  who  was  no  other  than  the  reader's  old  ac 
quaintance  of  the  name  just  mentioned,  slowly 
lilted  his  head,  from  a -meditative  position,  at  this 
address. 

"  The  examination  of  the  fisherman  hath  recalled 
scenes  of  my  boyhood,"  he  answered,  with  a  touch 
of  nature,  that  seldom  found  place  in  that  chamber. 

"  I  heard  thee  say,  he  was  thy  foster-brother,"  re 
turned  the  other,  struggling  to  conceal  a  gape. 

"  We  drank  of  the  same  milk,  and,  for  the  first 
years  of  life,  we  sported  at  the  same  games." 

"  These  imaginary  kindred  often  give  great  un 
easiness.  I  am  glad  your  trouble  hath  no  other 
source,  for  I  had  heard  that  the  young  heir  of  your 
house  hath  shown  a  prodigal  disposition  of  late,  and 
I  feared  that  matter  might  have  come  to  your  know 
ledge,  as  one  of  the  council,  that  a  father  might  not 
wish  to  learn." 

The  selfish  features  of  the  Signor  Gradenigo,  in 
stantly  underwent  a  change.  He  glanced  curiously, 
and  with  a  strong  distrust,  but  in  a  covert  manner, 
at  the  fallen  eyes  of  his  two  companions,  anxious 
to  penetrate  their  secret  thoughts  ere  he  ventured  to 
expose  his  own. 

"  Is  there  aught  of  complaint  against  the  youth?" 
he  demanded,  in  a  voice  of  hesitation.  "  You  un 
derstand  a  father's  interest,  and  will  not  conceal  the 
truth." 

"  Signore,  you  know  that  the  agents  of  the  police 
are  active,  and  little  that  comes  to  their  knowledge 
fails  to  reach  the  ears  of  the  council.  But,  at  the 
worst,  the  matter  is  not  of  life  or  death.  It  can 
only  cost  the  inconsiderate  young  man  a  visit  to 
Dalmatia,  or  an  order  to  waste  the  summer  at  the 
foot  of  the  Alps." 


196  THE  BRAVO. 

"Youth  is  the  season  of  indiscretion,  as  ye  know, 
Signori,"  returned  the  father,  breathing  more  freely, 
"  and  as  none  become  old  that  have  not  been  young, 
I  have  little  need  to  awaken  your  recollection  of  its 
weaknesses.  I  trust  my  son  is  incapable  of  design 
ing  aught  against  the  republic?" 

"  Of  that  he  is  not  suspected."  A  slight  expres 
sion  of  irony  crossed  the  features  of  the  old  senator, 
as  he  spoke.  "  But  he  is  represented  as  aiming  too 
freely  at  the  person  and  wealth  of  your  ward  ;  and 
that  she,  who  is  the  especial  care  of  St.  Mark,  is  not 
to  be  solicited  without  the  consent  of  the  senate,  is 
an  usage  well  known  to  one  of  its  most  ancient  and 
most  honorable  members." 

"  Such  is  the  law,  and  none  coming  of  me  shall 
show  it  disrespect.  I  have  preferred  my  claims  to 
that  connexion,  openly,  but  with  diffidence ;  and  I 
await  the  decision  of  the  state,  in  respectful  confi^ 
dence." 

His  associates  bowed  in  courteous  acknowledge 
ment  of  the  justice  of  what  he  said,  and  of  the 
loyalty  of  his  conduct,  but  it  was  in  the  manner  of 
men  too  long  accustomed  to  duplicity,  to  be  easily 
duped. 

"None  doubt  it,  worthy  Signor  Gradenigo,  for 
thy  faith  to  the  state  is  ever  quoted  as  a  model  for 
the  young,  and  as  a  subject  for  the  approbation  of 
the  more  experienced.  Hast  thou  any  communica 
tions  to  make  on  the  interest  of  the  voung  heiress, 
thyself?" 

"  I  am  pained  to  say,  that  the  deep  obligation  con-< 
ferred  by  Don  Carnillo  Monforte,  seems  to  have 
wrought  upon  her  youthful  imagination,  and  I  appre 
hend  that,  in  disposing  of  my  ward,  the  state 
will  have  to  contend  with  the  caprice  of  a  female 
mind.  The  waywardness  of  that  age  will  give 
more  trouble,  than  the  conduct  of  far  gmver 
ters," 


THE  BRAVO.  197 

"  Is  the  lady  attended  by  suitable  companions,  in 
.her  daily  life  i" 

"  Her  companions  are  known  to  the  Senate.  In 
so  grave  an  interest,  I  would  not  act  without  their  au 
thority  and  sanction.  But  the  affair  hath  great  need 
of  delicacy  in  its  government.  The  circumstance, 
that  so  much  of  my  ward's  fortune  lies  in  the  states 
of  the  church,  renders  it  necessary  to  await  the 
proper  moment  for  disposing  of  her  rights,  and  of 
transferring  their  substance  within  the  limits  of  the 
republic,  before  we  proceed  to  any  act  of  decision. 
Once  assured  of  her  wealth,  she  may  be  disposed  of, 
as  seemeth  best  to  the  welfare  of  the  state,  without 
further  delay." 

"  The  lady  hath  a  lineage  and  riches,  and  an  ex 
cellence  of  person,  that  might  render  her  of  great 
account  in  some  of  these  knotty  negotiations,  which 
so  much  fetter  our  movements  of  late.  The  time 
hath  been,  when  a  daughter  of  Venice,  not  more 
fair,  was  wooed  to  the  bed  of  a  sovereign." 

"  Signore,  those  days  of  glory  and  greatness  exist 
no  longer.  Should  it  be  thought  expedient  to  over 
look  the  natural  claims  of  my  son,  and  to  bestow  my 
ward  to  the  advantage  of  "the  republic,  the  most 
that  can  be  expected  through  her  means,  is  a  favora 
ble  concession  in  some  future  treaty,  or  a  new  prop 
to  some  of  the  many  decaying  interests  of  the  city. 
In  this  particular,  she  may  be  rendered  of  as  much, 
or  even  of  more  use,  than  the  oldest  and  wisest  of 
our  body.  But  that  her  will  may  be  free,  and  the 
child  may  have  no  obstacles  to  her  happiness,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  make  a  speedy  determination 
of  the  claim  preferred  by  Don  Camillo.  Can  wre  do 
better  than  to  recommend  a  compromise,  that  he 
may  return  without  delay  to  his  own  Calabria?" 

"  The  concern  is  weighty,  and  it  demands  delibe 
ration." 

"  He  complains  of  our  tardiness  already,  and  not 
R2 


19$  THE  BRAVO. 

without  show  of  reason.  It  is  five  years  since  the 
claim  was  first  preferred." 

"  Signor  Gradeaigo,  it  is  for  the  vigorous  and 
healthful  to  display  their  activity,  the  aged  and  the 
tottering  must  move  with  caution.  Were  we,  in 
Venice,  to  betray  precipitation  in  so  weighty  a  con 
cern,  without  seeing  an  immediate  interest  in  the 
judgment,  we  should  trifle  with  a  gale  of  fortune  that 
every  sirocco  will  not  blow  into  the  canals.  We 
must  have  terms  with  the  lord  of  Sant  Agata,  or  we 
greatly  slight  our  own  advantage." 

"  I  hinted  of  the  matter  to  your  excellencies,  as  a 
consideration  for  your  wisdom  ;  methinks  it  will  be 
something  gained  to  remove  one  so  dangerous,  from 
the  recollection,  and  from  before  the  eyes,  of  a  love 
sick  maiden." 

"  Is  the  damsel  so  amorous  ? " 

"  She  is  of  Italy,  Signore,  and  our  sun  bestows 
warm  fancies  and  fervent  minds." 

"Let  her  to  the  confessional  and  her  prayers! 
The  godly  prior  of  St.  Mark  will  discipline  her  im 
agination,  till  she  shall  conceit  the  Neapolitan  a 
Moor,  and  an  infidel.  Just  San  Teodoro,  forgive 
me!  But  thou  canst  remember  the  time,  my 
friends,  when  the  penance  of  the  church  was  not 
without  service,  on  thine  own  fickle  tastes  and  tru 
ant  practices." 

"  The  Signore  Gradenigo  was  a  gallant  in  his 
time,"  observed  the  third,  "  as  all  well  know  who 
travelled  in  his  company.  Thou  wert  much  spoken 
of  at  Versailles  and  at  Vienna, — nay,  thou  canst  not 
deny  thy  vogue  to  one  who,  if  he  hath  no  other  merit, 
hath  a  memory." 

"  I  protest  against  these  false  recollections,"  re 
joined  the  accused,  a  withered  smile  lighting  his 
faded  countenance ;  "  we  have  been  young,  Signori ; 
but  among  us  all,  I  never  knew  a  Venetian  of  more 
general  fashion  and  of  better  report,  especially 


THE    BRAVO.  '199 

with  the  dames  of  France,  than  he  who  has  just 
spoken." 

"  Account  it  not — account  it  not — '  twas  the  weak 
ness  of  youth  and  the  use  of  the  times ! 1  remem 
ber  to  have  seen  thee,  Enrico,  at  Madrid,  and  a  gayer 
or  more  accomplished  gentleman  was  not  known  at 
the  Spanish  court." 

"  Thy  friendship  blinded  thee — I  was  ,a  boy  and 
full  of  spirits ;  no  more,  I  may  assure  thee.  Didst 
hear  of  my  affair  with  the  mosquetaire,  when  at 
Paris?" 

"  Did  I  hear  of  the  general  war  ? — Thou  art  too 
modest,  to  raise  this  doubt  of  a  meeting  that  occu 
pied  the  coteries  for  a  month,  as  it  had  been  a  vic 
tory  of  the  powers !  Signor  Gradenigo,  it  was  a 
pleasure  to  call  him  countryman  at  that  time,  for  I 
do  assure  thee,  a  sprightlier  or  a  more  gallant  gen 
tleman  did  not  walk  the  terrace." 

"  Thou  tellest  me  of  what  my  own  eyes  have 
been  a  witness.  Did  I  not  arrive  when  men's  voices 
spoke  of  nothing  else? — A  beautiful  court  and  a 
pleasant  capital  were  those  of  France  in  our  day, 
Signori." 

"None  pleasanter,  or  of  greater  freedom  of  inter 
course — St.  Mark  aid  me  with  his  prayers  !  The 
many  pleasant  hours  that  I  have  passed  between  the 
Marais  and  the  Chateau !  Didst  ever  meet  La  Com- 
tesse  de  Mignon  in  the  gardens  1 " 

"  Zitto — thou  growest  loquacious,  caro  ;  nay,  she 
wanted  not  for  grace  and  affability,  that  I  will  say. 
In  what  a  manner  they  played  in  the  houses  of  re 
sort,  at  that  time  ! " 

"  I  know  it  to  my  cost.  Will  you  lend  me  your 
belief,  dear  friends  ?  I  arose  from  the  table  of  La 

Belle  Duchesse  de ,  the  loser  of  a  thousand 

sequins,  and  to  this  hour  it  seemeth  but  a  moment 
that  I  was  occupied." 

"I  remember  the  evening. — Thou  wert  seated  be- 


200  THE    BRAVO. 

tween  the  wife  of  the  Spanish  ambassador,  and  a 
miladi  of  England.  Thou  wert  playing  at  rouge-et- 
noir,  in  more  ways  than  one,  for  thy  eyes  were 
on  thy  neighbors  instead  of  thy  cards — Giulio,  I 
wrould  have  paid  half  the  loss,  to  have  read  the 
next  epistle  of  the  worthy  senator  thy  father  !" 

"  He  never  knew  it — he  never  knew  it — we  iiad 
our  friends  }on  the  Rialto,  and  the  account  was  set 
tled  a  few  years  later.  Thou  wast  well  with  Ninon, 
Enrico?" 

"  A  companion  of  her  leisure,  and  one  who  bask 
ed  in  the  sunshine  of  her  wit." 

"  Nay,  they  said  thou  wert  of  more  favor — " 

"  Mere  gossip  of  the  salons.  I  do  protest,  gentle 
men, — not  that  others  were  better  received — but 
idle  tongues  will  have  their  discourse ! " 

"  Wert  thou  of  the  party,  Alessandro,  that  went 
in  a  fit  of  gaiety  from  country  to  country,  till  it 
numbered  ten  courts  at  which  it  appeared  in  as 
many  weeks'?" 

"  Was  I  not  its  mover  ?  What  a  memory  art  thou 
getting!  'T was  for  a  hundred  golden  louis,  and  it 
was  bravely  won  by  an  hour.  A  postponement  of 
the  reception  by  the  elector  of  Bavaria,  went  near 
to  defeat  us,  but  we  bribed  the  groom  of  the  cham 
bers,  as  thou  mayest  remember,  and  got  into  the 
presence  as  it  were  by  accident." 

"  Was  that  held  to  be  sufficient  ?" 

"  That  was  it,  for  our  terms  mentioned  the  condi 
tion  of  holding  discourse  with  ten  sovereigns,  in  as 
many  weeks,  in  their  own  palaces.  Oh  !  it  \vas  fair 
ly  won ;  and  I  believe  I  may  say  that  it  was  as 
gaily  expended ! " 

"  For  the  latter  will  I  vouch,  since  I  never  quitted 
thee  while  a  piece  of  it  all  remained.  There  are 
divers  means  of  dispensing  gold  in  those  northern 
capitals,  and  4he  task  was  quickly  accomplished. 


THE   BRAVO.  201 

They  are  pleasant  countries  for  a  few  years  of 
youth  and  idleness!" 

"  It  is  a  pity  that  their  climates  are  so  rude." 

A  slight  and  general  shudder  expressed  their 
Italian  sympathy,  but  the  discourse  did  not  the  less 
proceed. 

"  They  might  have  a  better  sun,  and  a  clearer 
sky,  but  there  is  excellent  cheer,  and  no  want  of 
hospitality,"  observed  the  Signor  Gradenigo,  who 
maintained  his  full  share  of  the  dialogue,  though  we 
iiave  not  found  it  necessary  to  separate  sentiments 
that  were  so  common  among  the  different  speakers. 
"  I  have  seen  pleasant  hours  even  with  the  Genoese, 
though  their  town  hath  a  cast  of  reflection  and  so 
briety,  that  is  not  always  suited  to  the  dispositions 
of  youth." 

"Nay,  Stockholm  and  Copenhagen  have  their 
pleasures  too,  I  do  assure  thee.  I  passed  a  season 
between  them.  Your  Dane  is  a  good  joker  and  a 
hearty  bottle  companion." 

"  In  that  the  Englishman  surpasseth  all !  If  I 
were  to  relate  their  powers  of  living  in  this  manner, 
dear  friends,  ye  would  discredit  me.  That  which  I 
have  seen  often,  seemeth  impossible  even  to  myself. 
'Tis  a  gloomy  abode,  and  one  that  we  of  Italy  little 
like,  in  common." 

"Name  it  not  in  comparison  with  Holland — wert 
ever  in  Holland,  friends  ? — didst  ever  enjoy  the  fash 
ion  of  Amsterdam  and  the  Hague?  I  remember  to 
have  heard  a  young  Roman  urge  a  friend  to  pass  a 
winter  there  ;  for  the  witty  rogue  termed  it,  the 
beau  ideal  of  the  land  of  petticoats!" 

The  three  old  Italians,  in  whom  this  sally  excited 
a  multitude  of  absurd  recollections  and  pleasant 
fancies,  broke  out  into  a  general  and  hearty  fit  of 
laughter.  The  sound  of  their  cracked  merriment, 
echoing  in  that  gloomy  and  solemn  nft>m,  suddenly 
recalled  them  to  the  recollection  of  their  duties. 


202  THE  BRAVO. 

Each  listened  an  instant,  as  if  in  expectation  that 
some  extraordinary  consequence  was  to  follow  so 
extraordinary  an  interruption  of  the  usual  silence 
of  the  place,  like  a  child  whose  truant  propensities 
were  about  to  draw  detection  on  his  offence, — and 
then  the  principal  of  the  council  furtively  wiped 
the  tears  from  his  eyes,  and  resumed  his  gravity. 

"  Signori,"  he  said,  fumbling  in  a  bundle  of  papers. 
"  we  must  take  up  the  matter  of  the  fisherman — but 
we  will  first  inquire  into  the  circumstance  of  the 
signet  left,  the  past  night,  in  the  lion's  mouth.  Sig- 
nor  Gradenigo,  you  were  charged  with  the  examina 
tion." 

"  The  duty  hath  been  executed,  noble  Sirs,  and 
with  a  success  I  had  not  hoped  to  meet  with. 
Haste,  at  our  last  meeting,  prevented  a  perusal  of 
the  paper  to  which  it  was  attached,  but  it  will  now 
be  seen  that  the  two  have  a  connexion.  Here  is  an 
accusation  which  charges  Don  Camillo  Monforte 
with  a  design  to  bear  away,  beyond  the  power  of 
the  senate,  the  Donna  Violetta,  my  ward,  in  order 
to  possess  her  person  and  riches.  It  speaketh 
of  proofs  in  possession  of  the  accuser,  as  if  he 
were  an  agent  intrusted  by  the  Neapolitan.  As  a 
pledge  of  his  truth,  I  suppose,  for  there  is  no  men 
tion  made  of  any  other  use,  he  sends  the  signet  of 
Don  Camillo  himself,  which  cannot  have  been  ob 
tained  without  that  noble's  confidence." 

"  Is  it  certain  that  he  owns  the  ring  ? " 

"  Of  that  am  I  well  assured.  You  know  I  am 
especially  charged  with  conducting  his  personal  de 
mand  with  the  senate,  and  frequent  interviews  have 
given  me  opportunity  to  note  that  he  was  wont  to 
wear  a  signet,  which  is  now  wanting.  My  jeweller 
of  the  Rialto  hath  sufficiently  identified  this,  as 
the  missing  ring." 

"  Thus  far  ft  is  clear,  though  there  is  an  obscurity 
in  the  circumstance  that  the  signet  of  the  accused 


THE   BRAVO.  203 

should  be  found  with  the  accusation,  which,  being 
unexplained,  renders  the  charge  vague  and  uncer 
tain.  Have  you  any  clue  to  the  writing,  or  any 
means  of  knowing  whence  it  comes?" 

There  was  a  small  but  nearly  imperceptible  red 
spot  on  the  cheek  of  the  "Signer  Gradenigo,  that  did 
not  escape  the  keen  distrust  of  his  companions  ;  but 
he  concealed  his  alarm,  answering  distinctly  that  he 
had  none. 

"  We  must  then  defer  a  decision  for  further  proof. 
The  justice  of  St.  Mark  hath  been  too  much  vaunt 
ed  to  endanger  its  reputation  by  a  hasty  decree,  in  a 
question  which  so  closely  touches  the  interest  of  a 
powerful  noble  of  Italy.  Don  Camillo  Monforte 
hath  a  name  of  distinction,  and  counteth  too  many 
of  note  among  his  kindred,  to  be  dealt  with  as  we 
might  dispose  of  a  gondolier,  or  the  messenger  of 
some  foreign  state." 

"  As  respects  him,  Signore,  you  are  undoubtedly 
right.  But  may  wre  not  endanger  our  heiress  by 
too  much  tenderness?" 

"  There  are  many  convents  in  Venice,  Signore." 

"  The  monastic  life  is  ill  suited  to  the  temper  of 
my  ward,"  the  Signor  Gradenigo  drily  observed, 
"  and  I  fear  to  hazard  the  experiment ;  gold  is  a  key 
to  unlock  the  strongest  cell ;  besides,  we  cannot  with 
due  observance  of  propriety  place  a  child  of  the 
state  in  durance." 

"  Signor  Gradenigo,  we  have  had  this  matter  un 
der  long  and  grave  consideration,  and  agreeably  to 
our  laws,  when  one  of  our  number  hath  a  palpable 
interest  in  the  affair,  we  have  taken  counsel  of  his 
highness,  who  is  of  accord  with  us  in  sentiment. 
Your  personal  interest  in  the  lady  might  have  warp 
ed  your  usually  excellent  judgment ;  else,  be  assured, 
we  should  have  summoned  you  to  the  conference." 

The  old  senator,  who  thus  unexpectedly  found 
himself  excluded  from  consultation,  on  the  very 


204  THE   BRAVO, 

matter,  that,  of  all  others,  made  him  most  value  his 
temporary  authority,  stood  abashed  and  silent — read 
ing  in  his  countenance,  however,  a  desire  to  know 
more,  his  associates  proceeded  to  communicate  all 
it  was  their  intention  he  should  hear. 

"  It  hath  been  determined  to  remove  the  lady  to  a 
suitable  retirement,  and  for  this  purpose  care  hath 
been  already  had  to  provide  the  means.  Thou  wilt 
be  temporarily  relieved  of  a  most  grievous  charge, 
which  cannot  but  have  worked  heavily  on  thy  spirits, 
and,  in  other  particulars,  have  lessened  thy  much- 
valued  usefulness  to  the  republic." 

This  unexpected  communication  was  made  with 
marked  courtesy  of  manner;  but  with  an  emphasis 
and  tone,  that  sufficiently  acquainted  the  Signer 
Gradenigo  with  the  nature  of  the  suspicions  that  beset 
him.  He  had  too  long  been  familiar  with  the  sinu 
ous  policy  of  the  council,  in  which,  at  intervals,  he 
had  so  often  sat,  not  to  understand  that  he  would 
run  the  risk  of  a  more  serious  accusation  were  he 
to  hesitate  in  acknowledging  its  justice.  Teaching 
his  features,  therefore,  to  wear  a  smile  as  treacher 
ous  as  that  of  his  wily  companion,  he  answered  with 
seeming  gratitude. 

"  His  highness  and  you,  my  excellent  colleagues, 
have  taken  counsel  of  your  good  wishes  and  kind 
ness  of  heart,  rather  than  of  the  duty  of  a  poor  sub 
ject  of  St.  Mark,  to  toil  on  in  his  service  while  he 
hath  strength  and  reason  for  the  task,"  he  said. 
"  The  management  of  a  capricious  female  mind  is 
«^i  concern  of  no  light  moment,  and  while  I  thank 
you  for  this  consideration  of  my  case,  you  will  per^ 
mit  me  to  express  my  readiness  to  resume  the 
charge  whenever  it  shall  please  the  state  again  to 
confer  it." 

"  Of  this  none  are  more  persuaded  than  we,  nor 
are  any  better  satisfied  of  your  ability  to  discharge 
the  trust  faithfully.  But  you  enter,  Signore,  into  all 


THE   BRAVO.  205 

our  motives,  and  will  join  us  in  the  opinion,  that  it  is 
equally  unbecoming  the  republic,  and  one  of  its  most 
illustrious  citizens,  to  leave  a  ward  of  the  former  in 
a  position  that  shall  subject  the  latter  to  unmerited 
censure.  Believe  me,  we  have  thought  less  of  Venice 
in  this  matter,  than  of  the  honor  and  the  interests  of 
the  house  of  Gradenigo ;  for,  should  this  Neapolitan 
thwart  our  views,  you  of  us  all  would  be  most  liable 
to  be  disapproved  of." 

"  A  thousand  thanks,  excellent  Sir,"  returned  the 
deposed  guardian.  "  You  have  taken  a  load  from 
my  mind,  and  restored  some  of  the  freshness  and 
elasticity  of  youth !  The  claim  of  Don  Camillo  now 
is  no  longer  urgent,  since  it  is  your  pleasure  to  re 
move  the  lady,  for  a  season,  from  the  city." 
„  "  'Twere  better  to  hold  it  in  deeper  suspense,  if  it 
were  only  to  occupy  his  mind.  Keep  up  thy  com 
munications,  as  of  wont,  and  withhold  not  hope, 
which  is  a  powerful  exciter  in  minds  that  are  not 
deadened  by  experience.  We  shall  not  conceal  from 
one  of  our  number,  that  a  negotiation  is  already 
near  a  termination,  which  will  relieve  the  state  from 
the  care  of  the  damsel,  and  at  some  benefit  to  the 
republic.  Her  estates  lying;  without  our  limits  great 
ly  facilitate  the  treaty,  which  hath  only  been  with 
held  from  your  knowledge,  by  the  consideration,  that 
of  late,  we  have  rather  too  much  overloaded  thce 
\vith  affairs." 

Again  the  Signor  Gradenigo  bowed  submissively, 
and  with  apparent  joy.  He  saw  that  his  secret  de 
sign  had  been  penetrated,  notwithstanding  all  his 
practised  duplicity  and  specious  candor;  and  he 
submitted  with  that  species  of  desperate  resignation, 
which  becomes  a  habit,  if  not  a  virtue,  in  men  long 
accustomed  to  be  governed  despotically.  When 
this  delicate  subject,  which  required  the  utmost 
finesse  of  Venetian  policy,  since  it  involved  the  in 
terests  of  one,  who  happened,  at  the  moment,  to  be 

VOL.  I.  S 


206  THE    BRAVO. 

in  the  dreaded  council  itself,  was  disposed  of,  the 
three  turned  their  attention  to  other  matters,  with 
that  semblance  of  indifference  to  personal  feeling, 
which  practice  in  tortuous  paths  of  state-intrigue 
enabled  men  to  assume. 

"  Since  we  are  so  happily  of  opinion,  concerning 
the  disposition  of  the  Donna  Violetta,"  coolly  ob 
served  the  oldest  senator,  a  rare  specimen  of  hack 
neyed  and  worldly  morality,  "  we  may  look  into  our 
list  of  daily  duties — what  saith  the  lion's  mouths  to 
night?" 

"  A  few  of  the  ordinary  and  unmeaning  accusa 
tions  that  spring  from  personal  hatred,"  returned 
another.  "  One  chargeth  his  neighbor  with  oversight 
in  religious  duties,  and  with  some  carelessness  of 
the  fasts  of  Holy  Church — a  foolish  scandal,  rtted 
for  the  ears  of  a  curate." 

"  Is  there  naught  else1?" 

"Another  complaineth  of  neglect  in  a  husband. 
The  scrawl  is  in  a  woman's  hand,  and  beareth,  on 
its  face,  the  evidence  of  a  woman's  resentment." 

"  Sudden  to  rise  and  easy  to  be  appeased.  Let 
the  neighborhood  quiet  the  household  by  its  sneers — 
What  next?" 

"  A  suitor  in  the  courts  maketh  complaint  of  the 
tardiness  of  the  judges." 

"  This  toucheth  the  reputation  of  St.  Mark ;  it  must 
be  looked  to!" 

"  Hold !"  interrupted  the  Signor  Gradenigo.  "  The 
tribunal  acteth  advisedly — 'tis  in  the  matter  of  a 
Hebrew,  who  is  thought  to  have  secrets  of  import 
ance.  The  affair  hath  need  of  deliberation,  I  do  as 
sure  you." 

"  Destroy  the  charge — Have  we  more  ?" 

"  Nothing  of  note.  The  usual  number  of  plea 
santries  and  hobbling  verses  which  tend  to  nothing. 
If  we  get  some  useful  gleanings,  by  these  secret  ac 
cusations,  we  gain  much  nonsense.  I  would  whip 


THE  BRAVO.  207 

a  youngster  of  ten  who  could  not  mould  our  soft 
Italian  into  better  rhyme  thaa  this." 

"  'Tis  the  wantonness  of  security.  Let  it  pass, 
for  all  that  serveth  to  amuse  suppresseth  turbulent 
thoughts.  Shall  we  now  see  his  highness,  Sig- 
nori?" 

"  You  forget  the  fisherman,"  gravely  observed  the 
Signor  Gradenigo. 

"  Your  honor  sayeth  true.  What  a  head  for  busi 
ness  hath  he !  Nothing  that  is  useful  escapeth  his 
ready  mind." 

The  old  senator,  while  he  was  too  experienced  to 
be  cajoled  by  such  language,  saw  the  necessity  of 
appearing  flattered.  Again  he  bowed,  and  protested 
aloud  and  frequently  against  the  justice  of  compli 
ments  that  he  so  little  merited.  When  this  little  by 
play  was  over,  they  proceeded  gravely  to  consider 
the  matter  before  them. 

As  the  decision  of  the  Council  of  Three  will  be 
made  apparent  in  the  course  of  the  narrative,  we 
shall  not  continue  to  detail  the  conversation  that  ac 
companied  their  deliberations.  The  sitting  was  long, 
so  long  indeed  that  when  they  arose,  having  com 
pleted  their  business,  the  heavy  clock  of  the  square 
tolled  the  hour  of  midnight. 

"  The  doge  will  be  impatient,"  said  one  of  the 
two  nameless  members,  as  they  threw  on  their 
cloaks,  before  leaving  the  chamber.  "  I  thought  his 
highness  wore  a  more  fatigued  and  feeble  air  to 
day,  than  he  is  wont  to  exhibit,  at  the  festivities  of 
the  city." 

"  His  highness  is  no  longer  young,  Signore.  If 
I  remember  right,  he  greatly  outnumbers  either  of 
us  in  years.  Our  Lady  of  Loretto  lend  him  strength 
long  to  wear  the  ducal  bonnet,  and  wisdom  to  wear 
it  well!" 

"  He  hath  lately  sent  offerings  to  her  shrine." 

"  S;gnore,  he  hath.     His  confessor  hath  gone  in 


208  THE   BRAVO. 

person  with  the  offering,  as  I  know  of  certainty. 
'Tis  not  a  serious  gift,  but  a  mere  remembrance  to 
keep  himself  in  the  odor  of  sanctity.  I  doubt  that 
his  reign  will  not  be  long !" 

"  There  are,  truly,  signs  of  decay  in  his  system. 
He  is  a  worthy  prince,  and  we  shall  lose  a  father 
when  called  to  weep  for  his  loss ! " 

"  Most  true,  Signore :  but  the  horned  bonnet  is 
not  an  invulnerable  shield  against  the  arrows  of  death. 
Age  and  infirmities  are  more  potent  than  our  wish 
es." 

"  Thou  art  moody  to-night,  Signor  Gradenigo. 
Thou  art  not  used  to  be  so  silent  with  thy  friends." 

"  I  am  not  the  less  grateful,  Signore,  for  their  fa 
vors.  If  I  have  a  loaded  countenance,  I  bear  a  light 
ened  heart.  One  who  hath  a  daughter  of  his  own 
so  happily  bestowed  in  wedlock  as  thine,  may  judge 
of  the  relief  I  feel  by  this  disposition  of  my  ward. 
Joy  affects  the  exterior,  frequently,  like  sorrow ;  ay, 
even  to  tears." 

His  two  companions  looked  at  the  speaker  with 
much  obvious  sympathy  in  their  manners.  They 
then  left  the  chamber  of  doom  together.  The  me 
nials  entered  and  extinguished  the  lights,  leaving  all 
behind  them  in  an  obscurity  that  was  no  bad  type 
of  the  gloomy  mysteries  of  the  place. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

«  Then  methought, 

A  serenade  broke  silence,  breathing  hope 
Through  walls  of  stone." 

Italy. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  the 
melody  of  music  was  rife  on  the  water.  Gondolas 
continued  to  glide  along  the  shadowed  canals,- while 


THE    BRAVO.  209 

the  laugh  or  the  song  was  echoed  among  the  arches 
of  the  palaces.  The  piazza  and  piazzetta  were  yet 
brilliant  with  lights,  and  gay  with  their  multitudes  of 
unwearied  revellers. 

The  habitation  of  Donna  Violetta  was  far  from 
the  scene  of  general  amusement.  Though  so  re 
mote,  the  hum  of  the  moving  throng,  and  the  higher 
strains  of  the  wind-instruments,  came,  from  time  to 
time,  to  the  ears  of  its  inmates,  mellowed  and  thrill 
ing  by  distance. 

The  position  of  the  moon  cast  the  whole  of  the 
narrow  passage  which  flowed  beneath  the  windows 
of  her  private  apartments  into  shadow.  In  a  bal 
cony  which  overhung  the  water,  stood  the  youthful 
and  ardent  girl,  listening  with  a  charmed  ear  and  a 
tearful  eye  to  one  of  those  soft  strains,  in  which 
Venetian  voices  answered  to  each  other  from  dif 
ferent  points  on  the  canals,  in  the  songs  of  the  gon 
doliers.  Her  constant  companion  and  Mentor  was 
near,  while  the  ghostly  father  of  them  both  stood 
deeper  in  the  room. 

"  There  may  be  pleasanter  towns  on  the  main, 
and  capitals  of  more  revelry,"  said  the  charmed 
Violetta,  withdrawing  her  person  from  its  leaning 
attitude,  as  the  voices  ceased  ;  "  but  in  such  a  night 
and  at  this  witching  hour,  what  city  may  compare 
with  Venice  1 " 

"  Providence  has  been  less  partial  in  the  distribu 
tion  of  its  earthly  favors  than  is  apparent  to  a  vuU 
gar  eye,"  returned  the  attentive  Carmelite.  "  If  we 
have  our  peculiar  enjoyments  and  our  moments  of 
divine  contemplation,  other  towns  have  advantages 
of  their  own ;  Genoa  and  Pisa,  Firenze,  Ancona, 
Roma,  Palermo,  and,  chiefest  of  all,  Napoli — " 

"Napoli,  father!" 

"  Daughter,  Napoli.     Of  all  the  towns  of  sunny 
Italy,  'tis  the  fairest  and  the  most  blessed  in  natural 
gifts.     Of  every  region  I  have  visited,  during  a  life 
S2 


210  THE    BRAVO. 

of  wandering  and  penitence,  that  is  the  country  on 
which  the  touch  of  the  Creator  hath  been  the  most 
God-like!" 

"  Thou  art  imaginative  to-night,  good  Father  An- 
selmo.  The  land  must  be  fair  indeed,  that  can  thus 
warm  the  fancy  of  a  Carmelite." 

"  The  rebuke  is  just.  I  have  spoken  more  under 
the  influence  of  recollections  that  came  from  days 
of  idleness  and  levity,  than  with  the  chastened  spirit 
of  one,  who  should  see  the  hand  of  the  Maker,  in 
the  most  simple  and  least  lovely  of  all  his  wondrous 
\vorks." 

"  You  reproach  yourself  causelessly,  holy  father," 
observed  the  mild  Donna  Florinda,  raising  her  eyes 
towards  the  pale  countenance  of  the  monk;  "  to 
admire  the  beauties  of  nature,  is  to  worship  him 
wrho  gave  them  being." 

At  that  moment  a  burst  of  music  rose  on  the  air, 
proceeding  from  the  water  beneath  the  balcony. 
Donna  Violetta  started  back,  abashed,  and  as  she 
held  her  breath  in  wonder,  and  haply  with  that  de 
light  which  open  admiration  is  apt  to  excite  in  a 
youthful  female  bosom,  the  color  mounted  to  her 
temples. 

"There  passeth  a  band;"  calmly  observed  the 
Donna  Florinda. 

"  No,  it  is  a  cavalier !  There  are  gondoliers,  ser 
vitors  in  his  colors." 

"  This  is  as  hardy  as  it  may  be  gallant;"  return 
ed  the  monk,  who  listened  to  the  air  with  an  evident 
and  grave  displeasure. 

There  was  no  longer  any  doubt  but  that  a  seren 
ade  was  meant.  Though  the  custom  was  of  much 
use,  it  was  the  first  time  that  a  similar  honor  had 
been  paid  beneath  the  window  of  Donna  Violetta. 
The  studied  privacy  of  her  life,  her  known  destiny, 
and  the  jealousy  of  the  despotic  state,  and  perhaps 
the  deep  respect  which  encircled  a  maiden  of  her 


THE   BRAVO.  211 

tender  years  aud  high  condition,  had,  until  that  mo 
ment,  kept  the  aspiring,  the  vain,  and  the  interested, 
equally  in  awe. 

"  It  is  for  me  !"  whispered  the  trembling,  the  dis 
tressed,  the  delighted  Violetta. 

"  It  is  for  one  of  us,  indeed;"  answered  the  cau 
tious  friend,  a 

"  Be  it  for  wliom  it  may,  it  is  bold,"  rejoined  the 
monk. 

Donna  Violetta  shrunk  from  observation,  behind 
the  drapery  of  the  window,  but  she  raised  a  hand  in 
pleasure,  as  the  rich  strains  rolled  through  the  wride 
apartments. 

"  What  a  taste  rules  the  band ! "  she  half- whis 
pered,  afraid  to  trust  her  voice,  lest  a  sound  should 
escape  her  ears.  "  They  touch  an  air  of  Petrarch's 
sonnatas  !  How  indiscreet,  and  yet  how  noble  ! " 

"  More  noble  than  wise;"  said  the  Donna  Florin- 
da,  who  entered  the  balcony,  and  looked  intently  on 
the  water  beneath. 

"  Here  are  musicians  in  the  color  of  a  noble  in 
one  gondola,"  she  continued,  "  and  a  single  cavalier 
in  another." 

"  Hath  he  no  servitor  ? — Doth  he  ply  the  oar  him 
self?" 

"  Truly  that  decency  hath  not  been  overlooked  ; 
one  in  a  flowered  jacket  guides  the  boat." 

"  Speak,  then,  dearest  Florinda,  I  pray  thee." 

"Would  it  be  seemly?" 

"  Indeed  I  think  it.  Speak  them  fair.  Say  that  I 
am  the  senate's. — That  it  is  not  discreet  to  urge  a 
daughter  of  the  state  thus — say  what  thou  wrilt — but 
speak  them  fair." 

"  Ha !  It  is  Don  Camillo  Monforte  !  I  know  him 
bv  his  noble  stature  and  the  gallant  wave  of  his 
hand." 

"  This  temerity  will  undo  him !  His  claim  wrill 
be  refused — himself  banished.  Is  it  not  near 


212  THE  BRAVO. 

the  hour  when  the  gondola  of  the  police  passes  ? 
Admonish  him  to  depart,  good  Florinda — and  yet 
— can  we  use  this  rudeness  to  a  Signor  of  his  rank !" 

"  Father,  counsel  us ;  you  know  the  hazards  of 
this  rash  gallantry  in  the  Neapolitan — aid  us  with 
thy  wisdom,  for  there  is  not  a  moment  to  lose." 

The  Carmelite  had  been  an  attentive  and  an  in 
dulgent  observer  of  the  emotion,  which  sensations 
so  novel  had  awakened  in  the  ardent  but  unprac 
tised  breast  of  the  fair  Venetian.  Pity,  sorrow,  and 
sympathy  were  painted  on  his  mortified  face,  as  he 
witnessed  the  mastery  of  feeling  over  a  mind  so 
guileless,  and  a  heart  so  warm ;  but  the  look  was 
rather  that  of  one  who  knew  the  dangers  of  the 
passions,  than  of  one  who  condemned  them,  without 
thought  of  their  origin  or  power.  At  the  appeal  of 
the  governess  he  turned  away  and  silently  quitted 
the  room.  Donna  Florinda  left  the  balcony  and 
drew  near  her  charge.  There  was  no  explanation, 
nor  any  audible  or  visible  means  of  making  their 
sentiments  known  to  each  other.  Violetta  threw 
herself  into  the  arms  of  her  more  experienced  friend, 
and  struggled  to  conceal  her  face  in  her  bosom.  At 
this  moment  the  music  suddenly  ceased,  and  the 
plash  of  oars,  falling  into  the  water,  succeeded. 

"He  is  gone!"  exclaimed  the  young  creature, 
who  had  been  the  object  of  the  serenade,  and  whose 
faculties,  spite  of  her  confusion,  had  lost  none  of 
their  acuteness.  "  The  gondolas  are  moving  away, 
and  we  have  not  made  even  the  customary  acknow 
ledgments  for  their  civility!" 

"  It  is  not  needed — or  rather  it  might  increase  a 
hazard  that  is  already  too  weighty.  Remember  thy 
high  destiny,  my  child,  and  let  them  depart." 

"  And  yet,  methinks  one  of  my  station  should  not 
fail  in  courtesy.  The  compliment  may  mean  no 
more  than  any  other  idle  usage,  and  they  should  not 
quit  us  unthanked." 


THE  BRAVO.  213 

"  Rest  you,  within.  I  will  watch  the  movement 
of  the  boats,  for  it  surpasseth  female  endurance  not 
to  note  their  aspect." 

"  Thanks,  dearest  Florinda !  hasten,  lest  they  en 
ter  the  other  canal  ere  thou  seest  them." 

The  governess  was  quickly  in  the  balcony.  Ac 
tive  as  was  her  movement,  her  eyes  were  scarcely 
cast  upon  the  shadow  beneath,  before  a  hurried 
question  demanded  what  she  beheld. 

"  Both  gondolas  are  gone,"  was  the  answer. 
"  That  with  the  musicians  is  already  entering  the 
great  canal,  but  that  of  the  cavalier  hath  unaccount 
ably  disappeared  1" 

"  Nay,  look  again ;  he  cannot  be  in  such  haste  to 
quit  us." 

•I  had  not  sought  him  in  the  right  direction. 
Here  is  his  gondola,  by  the  bridge  of  our  own 
canal." 

"  And  the  cavalier  1  He  waits  for  some  sign  of 
courtesy  ;  it  is  meet  that  we  should  not  withhold  it." 

"  I  see  him  not.  His  servitor  is  seated  on  the 
steps  of  the  landing,  while  the  gondola  appeareth  to 
be  empty.  The  man  hath  an  air  of  waiting,  but  I 
nowhere  see  the  master ! " 

"  Blessed  Maria !  can  aught  have  befallen  the 
gallant  Duca  di  Sant'  Agata?" 

"  Naught  but  the  happiness  of  casting  himself 
here ! "  exclaimed  a  voice  near  the  person  of  the 
heiress.  The  Donna  Violetta  turned  her  gaze  from 
the  balcony,  and  beheld  him  who  filled  all  her 
thoughts,  at  her  feet. 

The  cry  of  the  girl,  the  exclamation  of  her  friend, 
and  a  rapid  and  eager  movement  of  the  monk, 
brought  the  wrhole  party  into  a  group. 

"  This  may  not  be  ;"  said  the  latter  in  a  reprov 
ing  voice.  "  Arise,  Don  Camillo,  lest  I  repent  list 
ening  to  your  prayer  ;  you  exceed  our  conditions." 

"  As  much  as  this  emotion  exceedeth  my  hopes," 


214  THE    BRAVO. 

answered  the  noble.  "  Holy  father,  it  is  vain  to  op 
pose  Providence !  Providence  brought  me  to  the 
rescue  of  this  lovely  being,  when  accident  threw  her 
into  the  Giudecca,  and,  once  more,  Providence  is 
my  friend,  by  permitting  me  to  be  a  witness  of  this 
feeling.  Speak,  fair  Violetta,  thou  wilt  not  be  an 
instrument  of  the  senate's  selfishness — thou  wilt  not 
hearken  to  their  wish  of  disposing  of  thy  hand  on 
the  mercenary,  who  would  trifle  with  the  most  sa 
cred  of  all  vows,  to  possess  thy  wealth?" 

"  For  whom  am  I  destined  1 "  demanded  Violetta. 

"  No  matter,  since  it  be  not  for  me.  Some  traf 
ficker  in  happiness,  some  worthless  abuser  of  the 
gifts  of  fortune." 

"  Thou  knowest,  Camillo,  our  Venetian  custom, 
and  must  see  that  I  am  hopelessly  in  their  handi" 

"  Arise,  Duke  of  St.  Agata,"  said  the  monk,  with 
authority ;  "  when  I  suffered  you  to  enter  this  palace, 
it  was  to  remove  a  scandal  from  its  gates,  and  to 
save  you  from  your  own  rash  disregard  of  the  state's 
displeasure.  It  is  idle  to  encourage  hopes  that  the 
policy  of  the  republic  opposes.  Arise  then,  and 
respect  your  pledges." 

"  That  shall  be  as  this  lady  may  decide.  Encour 
age  me  with  but  an  approving  look,  fairest  Violetta, 
and  not  Venice,  with  its  doge  and  inquisition,  shall 
stir  me  an  inch  from  thy  feet ! " 

"  Camillo  !"  answered  the  trembling  girl,  "  thou, 
the  preserver  of  my  life,  hast  little  need  to  kneel  to 
me!" 

"  Duke  of  St.  Agata — daughter !" 

"  Nay,  heed  him  not,  generous  Violetta.  He  utters 
words  of  convention — he  speaks  as  all  speak  in  age, 
when  men's  tongues  deny  the  feelings  of  their  youth. 
He  is  a  Carmelite,  and  must  feign  this  prudence. 
He  never  knew  the  tyranny  of  the  passions.  The 
dampness  of  his  cell  has  chilled  the  ardor  of  the 


THE    BRAVO.  215 

heart.     Had  he  been  human,  he  would  have  loved  ; 
had  he  loved,  he  would  never  have  worn  a  cowl." 

Father  Anselmo  receded  a  pace,  like  one  pricked 
in  conscience,  and  the  paleness  of  his  ascetic  fea 
tures  took  a  deadly  hue.  His  lips  moved  as  if  he 
would  have  spoken,  but  the  sounds  were  smothered 
by  an  oppression  that  denied  him  utterance.  The 
gentle  Florinda  saw  his  distress,  and  she  endeavor 
ed  to  interpose  between  the  impetuous  youth  and 
her  charge. 

"  It  may  be  as  you  say,  Signor  Monforte,"  she 
said,  "  and  that  the  senate,  in  its  fatherly  care, 
searches  a  partner  worthy  of  an  heiress  of  a  house 
so  illustrious  and  so  endowed  as  that  of  Tiepolo. 
But  in  this,  what  is  there  more  than  of  wont  1  Do 
not  4he  nobles  of  all  Italy  seek  their  equals  in  condi 
tion  and  in  the  gifts  of  fortune,  in  order  that  their 
union  may  be  fittingly  assorted.  How  know  we 
that  the  estates  of  my  young  friend  have  not  a  value 
in  the  eye  of  the  Duke  of  St.  Agata,  as  well  as  in 
those  of  him  that  the  senate  may  elect  for  thy  hus 
band  1" 

"  Can  this  be  true !"  exclaimed  Violetta. 

"  Believe  it  not ;  my  errand  in  Venice  is  no  secret. 
I  seek  the  restitution  of  lands  and  houses  long  with 
held  from  my  family,  with  the  honors  of  the  senate 
that  are  justly  mine.  All  these  do  I  joyfully  abandon 
for  the  hope  of  thy  favor." 

"  Thou  hearest,  Florinda :  Don  Camillo  is  not  to 
be' distrusted  f" 

"  What  are  the  senate  and  the  power  of  St.  Mark, 
that  they  should  cross  our  lives  with  misery?  Be 
mine,  lovely  Violetta,  and  in  the  fastnesses  of  my  own 
good  Calabrian  castle  we  will  defy  their  vengeance 
and  policy.  Their  disappointment  shall  furnish  mer 
riment  for  my  vassals,  and  our  felicity  shall  make 
the  happiness  of  thousands.  I  affect  no  disrespect 
for  the  dignity  of  the  councils,  nor  any  indifference 


216  THE   BRAVO. 

to  that  I  lose,  but  to  me  art  thou  far  more  precious 
than  the  horned  bonnet  itself,  with  all  its  fancied 
influence  and  glory." 

"  Generous  Camillo !" 

"  Be  mine,  and  spare  the  cold  calculators  of  the 
senate  another  crime.  They  think  to  dispose  of  thee, 
as  if  thou  wert  worthless  merchandise,  to  their  own 
advantage.  But  thou  wilt  defeat  their  design.  I 
read  the  generous  resolution  in  thine  eye,  Violetta ; 
thou  wilt  manifest  a  will  superior  to  their  arts  and 
egotism." 

"  I  would  not  be  trafficked  for,  Don  Camillo  Mon- 
forte,  but  wooed  and  won  as  befitteth  a  maiden  of 
my  condition.  They  may  still  leave  me  liberty  of 
choice.  The  Signer  Gradenigo  hath  much  encour 
aged  me  of  late  with  this  hope,  when  speaking  of 
the  establishment  suited  to  my  years." 

"  Believe  him  not ;  a  colder  heart,  a  spirit  more 
removed  from  charity,  exists  not  in  Venice.  He 
courts  thy  favor  for  his  own  prodigal  son ;  a  cavalier 
without  honor,  the  companion  of  profligates,  and  the 
victim  of  the  Hebrews.  Believe  him  not,  for  he  is 
stricken  in  deceit." 

"  He  is  the  victim  of  his  own  designs,  if  this  be 
true.  Of  all  the  youths  of  Venice  I  esteem  Giacomo 
Gradenigo  least." 

"  This  interview  must  have  an  end,"  said  the 
monk,  interposing  effectually,  and  compelling  the 
lover  to  rise.  "It  would  be  easier  to  escape  the 
toils  of  sin  than  to  elude  the  agents  of  the  police.  I 
tremble  lest  this  visit  should  be  known,  for  we  are 
encircled  with  the  ministers  of  the  state,  and  not  a 
palace  in  Venice  is  more  narrowly  watched  than 
this.  Were  thy  presence  here  detected,  indiscreet, 
young  man,  thy  youth  might  pine  in  a  prison,  while 
thou  would'st  be  the  cause  of  persecution  and  un 
merited  sorrow  to  this  innocent  and  inexperienced 
maiden." 


THE    BRAVO.  217 

"  A  prison,  sayesl  thou,  father !" 

"No  less,  daughter.  Lighter  offences  are  often 
expiated  by  heavier  judgments,  when  the  pleasure 
of  the  senate  is  thwarted." 

"Thou  must  not  be  condemned  to  a  prison, 
Camillo!" 

"  Fear  it  not.  The  years  and  peaceful  calling  of 
the  father  make  him  timid.  I  have  long  been  pre 
pared  for  this  happy  moment,  and  I  ask  but  a  single 
hour  to  put,  Venice  and  all  her  toils  at  defiance. 
Give  me  the  blessed  assurance  of  thy  truth,  and  con 
fide  in  my  means  for  the  rest." 

"  Thou  hearest,  Florinda !" 

"  This  bearing  is  suited  to  the  sex  of  Don  Camillo, 
dearest,  but  it  ill  becometh  thee.  A  maiden  of  high 
quality  must  await  the  decision  of  her  natural 
guard'ians." 

"  But  should  that  choice  be  Giacomo  Gradenigo?" 

"  The  senate  will  not  hear  of  it.  The  arts  of  hia 
father  have  long  been  known  to  thee ;  and  thou  must 
have  seen,  by  the  secrecy  of  his  own  advances,  that 
he  distrusts  their  decision.  The  state  will  have  a 
care  to  dispose  of  thee  as  befitteth  thy  hopes.  Thou 
art  sought  of  many,  and  those  who  guard  thy  for 
tune  only  await  the  proposals  which  best  become 
thy  birth." 

"  Proposals  that  become  my  birth  !" 

"  Suitable  in  years,  condition,  expectations,  and 
character." 

"  Am  I  to  regard  Don  Camillo  Monforte  as  one 
beneath  me?" 

The  monk  again  interposed. 

.  "  This  interview  must  end,"  he  said.  "  The  eyes 
drawn  upon  us,  by  your  indiscreet  music,  are  now 
turned  on  other  "objects,  Signore,  and  you  must 
break  your  faith,  or  depart." 

"Alone,  father?" 

"  Is  the  Donna  Violetta  to  quit  the  roof  of  her 

VOL.!.  T 


218  THE   BRAVO. 

father  with  as  little  warning  as  an  unfavored  de 
pendant?" 

"  Nay,  Signer  Monforte,  you  could  not,  in  reason, 
have  expected  more,  in  this  interview,  than  the 
hope  of  some  future  termination  to  your  suit — 
some  pledge — " 

"And  that  pledge?" 

The  eye  of  Violetta  turned  from  her  governess 
to  her  lover,  from  her  lover  to  the  monk,  and  from 
the  latter  to  the  floor. 

"  Is  thine,  Carnillo." 

A  common  cry  escaped  the  Carmelite  and  the 
governess. 

"  Thy  mercy,  excellent  friends,"  continued  the 
blushing  bat  decided  Violetta.  "  If  I  have  encour 
aged  Don  Carnillo,  in  a  manner  that  thy  counsels 
and  maiden  modesty  would  reprove ;  reflect  that  had 
he  hesitated  to  cast  himself  into  the  Giudecca,  I 
should  have  wanted  the  power  to  confer  this  trifling 
grace.  Why  should  I  be  less  generous  than  my  pre 
server?  No,  Carnillo,  when  the  senate  condemns  me 
to  wed  another  than  thee,  it  pronounces  the  doom  of 
celibacy;  I  will  hide  my  griefs  in  a  convent  till  I  die!" 

There  was  a  solemn  and  fearful  interruption  to  a* 
discourse  which  was  so  rapidly  becoming  explicit,, 
by  the  sound  of  the  bell,  that  the  groom  of  the  cham 
bers,  a  long-tried  and  confidential  domestic,  had 
been  commanded  to  ring  before  he  entered.  As  this 
injunction  had  been  accompanied  by  another  not  to 
appear,  unless  summoned,  or  urged  by  some  grave 
motive,  the  signal  caused  a  sudden  pause,  even  at 
that  interesting  moment. 

"  How  now !"  exclaimed  the  Carmelite  to  the  ser 
vant,  who  abruptly  entered.  "  What  means  this  dis 
regard  of  my  injunctions?" 

"  Father,  the  republic  !" 

"  Is  St.  Mark  in  jeopardy,  that  females  and  priest* 
are  summoned  to  aid  him?" 


THE  BRAVO.  219 

"  There  are  officials  of  the  state  below,  who  de 
mand  admission  in  the  name  of  the  republic  'I " 

"  This  grows  serious,"  said  Don  Camillo,  who 
alone  retained  his  self-possession.  "  My  visit  ig 
known,  and  the  active  jealousy  of  the  state  antici 
pates  its  object.  Summon  your  resolution,  Donna 
Violetta,  and  you,  father,  be  of  heart !  I  will  assume 
the  responsibility  of  the  offence,  if  offence  it  be,  and 
exonerate  all  others  from  censure." 

"  Forbid  it,  Father  Anselmo.  Dearest  Florinda, 
we  will  share  his  punishment !"  exclaimed  the  terri 
fied  Violetta,  losing  all  self-command  in  the  fear  of 
such  a  moment.  "  He  has  not  been  guilty  of  this  in 
discretion  without  participation  of  mine ;  he  has  not 
presumed  beyond  his  encouragement." 

The  monk  and  Donna  Florinda  regarded  each 
other  in  mute  amazement,  and  haply  there  was 
some  admixture  of  feeling  in  the  look  that  denot 
ed  the  uselessness  of  caution  when  the  passions 
were  intent  to  elude  the  vigilance  of  those  who 
were  merely  prompted  by  prudence.  The  former 
simply  motioned  for  silence,  W7hile  he  turned  to  the 
domestic. 

"  Of  what  character  are  these  ministers  of  the 
state?"  he  demanded. 

"  Father,  they  are  its  known  officers,  and  wear  the 
badges  of  their  condition." 

"  And  their  request?" 

"  Is  to  be  admitted  to  the  presence  of  the  Donna 
Violetta." 

"There  is  still  hope!"  rejoined  the  monk,  breath 
ing  more  freely.  Moving  across  the  room,  he  opened 
a  door  which  communicated  with  the  private  orato 
ry  of  the  palace.  "  Retire  within  this  sacred  chapel, 
Don  Camillo,  while  we  await  the  explanation  of  so 
extraordinary  a  visit." 

As  the  time  pressed,  the  suggestion  was  obeyed 
on  the  instant.  The  lover  entered  the  oratory,  and 


220  THE    BRAVO. 

when  the  door  was  closed  upon  his  person,  the 
domestic,  one  known  to  be  worthy  of  all  confi 
dence,  was  directed  to  usher  in  those  who  waited 
without. 

But  a  single  individual  appeared.  He  was  known, 
at  a  glance,  for  a  public  and  responsible  agent  of 
the  government,  who  was  often  charged  with  the 
execution  of  secret  and  delicate  duties.  Donna  Vi~ 
oletta  advanced  to  meet  him,  in  respect  to  his  em 
ployers,  and  with  the  return  of  that  self-possession, 
which  long  practice  interweaves  with  the  habits  of 
the  great. 

"  I  am  honored  by  this  care  of  my  dreaded  and 
illustrious  guardians,"  she  said,  making  an  acknow 
ledgment  for  the  low  reverence  with  which  the  offi 
cial  saluted  the  richest  ward  of  Venice.  "  To  what 
circumstance  do  I  owe  this  visit?" 

The  officer  gazed  an  instant  about  him,  with  an 
habitual  and  suspicious  caution,  and  then  repeating 
his  salutations,  he  answered. 

"  Lady,"  he  said,  "  I  am  commanded  to  seek  an 
interview  with  the  daughter  of  the  state,  the  heiress 
of  the  illustrious  house  of  Tiepolo,  with  the  Donna 
Florinda  Mercato,  her  female  companion,  with  the 
Father  Anselmo,  her  commissioned  ccnfessor,  and 
witli  any  other  who  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  her  society 
and  the  honor  of  her  confidence." 

"  Those  you  seek  are  here ;  I  am  Violetta  Tiepo 
lo  ;  to  this  'lady  am  I  indebted  for  a  mother's  care, 
and  this  reverend  Carmelite  is  my  spiritual  counsel 
lor.  Shall  I  summon  my  household?" 

"  It  is  unnecessary.  My  errand  is  rather  of  pri 
vate  than  of  public  concern.  At  the  decease  of 
your  late  most  honored  and  much-lamented  parent, 
the  illustrious  senator  Tiepolo,  the  care  of  your 
person,  lady,  was  committed  by  the  republic,  your 
natural  and  careful  protector,  to  the  especial  guar- 


THE    BRAVO.  221 

dianship  and  wisdom  of  Signore  Alessandro  Gra- 
denigo,  of  illustrious  birth  and  estimable  qualities/' 

"  Signore,  you  say  true." 

*  Though  the  parental  love  of  the  councils  may 
have  seemed  to  be  dormant,  it  has  ever  been  wake 
ful  and  vigilant.  Now  that  the  years,  instruction, 
beauty,  and  other  excellencies  of  their  daughter, 
have  come  to  so  rare  perfection,  they  wish  to  draw 
the  ties  that  unite  them  nearer,  by  assuming  their 
own  immediate  duties  about  her  person." 

"  By  this  I  am  to  understand  that  I  am  no  longer 
a  ward  of  the  Signor  Gradenigo  ?" 

"  Lady,  a  ready  wit  has  helped  you  to  the  expla 
nation.  That  illustrious  patrician  is  released  from 
his  cherished  and  well-acquitted  duties.  To-morrow 
new  guardians  will  be  charged  with  the  care  of 
your  prized  person,  and  will  continue  their  honora 
ble  trust,  until  the  wisdom  of  the  senate  shall  have 
formed  for  you  such  an  alliance,  as  shall  not  dispar 
age  a  noble  name  and  qualities  that  might  adorn  a 
throne." 

"Ami  to  be  separated  from  those  I  love  ?"  de 
manded  Violetta,  impetuously. 

"  Trust  to  the  senate's  wisdom.  I  know  not  its 
determination  concerning  those  who  have  long 
dwelt  with  you,  but  there  can  be  no  reason  to  doubt 
its  tenderness  or  discretion.  I  have  now  only  to 
add,  that  until  those  charged  anew  with  the  honora 
ble  office  of  your  protectors  shall  arrive,  it  will 
be  well  to  maintain  the  same  modest  reserve  in 
the  reception  of  visitors  as  of  wont,  and  that  your 
door,  lady,  must  in  propriety  be  closed  against  tne 
Signor  Gradenigo  as  against  all  others  of  his  sex." 

" Shall  I  not  even  thank  him  for  his  care?" 

"  He  is  tenfold  rewarded  in  the  senate's  grati 
tude." 

"  It  would  have  been  gracious  to  have  expressed 
my   feelings    towards    the    Signor    Gradenigo   in 
T2 


222  THE    BKAVO. 

words ;  but  that  which  is  refused  to  the  tongue  will 
be  permitted  to  the  pen." 

"  The  reserve  that  becomes  the  state  of  one  so  fa 
vored  is  absolute.  St.  Mark  is  jealous  where  he 
loves.  And,  now  my  commission  is  discharged,  I 
humbly  take  my  leave,  flattered  in  having  been  se 
lected  to  stand  in  such  a  presence,  and  to  have  been 
thought  worthy  of  so  honorable  a  duty." 

As  the  officer  ceased  speaking  and  Violetta  re 
turned  his  bows,  she  turned  her  eyes,  filled  with  ap 
prehension,  on  the  sorrowful  features  of  her  com 
panions.  The  ambiguous  language  of  those  em 
ployed  in  such  missions  was  too  well  known  to 
leave  much  hope  for  the  future.  They  all  antici 
pated  their  separation  on  the  morrow,  though 
neither  could  penetrate  the  reason  of  this  sudden 
change  in  the  policy  of  the  state.  Interrogation 
was  useless,  for  the  blow  evidently  came  from  the 
secret  council,  whose  motives  could  no  more  be 
fathomed  than  its  decrees  foreseen.  The  monk 
raised  his  hands  in  silent  benediction  towards  his 
spiritual  charge,  and,  unable,  even  in  the  presence 
of  the  stranger,  to  repress  their  grief,  Donna  Flo- 
rinda  and  Violetta  sunk  into  each  other's  arms,  and 
wept. 

In  the  mean  time  the  minister  of  this  cruel  blow 
had  delayed  his  departure,  like  one  who  had  a  half- 
formed  resolution.  He  regarded  the  countenance 
of  the  unconscious  Carmelite  intently,  and  in  a  man 
ner  that  denoted  the  habit  of  thinking  much  before 
he  decided. 

"  Reverend  Father,"  he  said,  "  may  I  crave  a 
moment  of  your  time,  for  an  affair  that  concerns 
the  soul  of  a  sinner?" 

Though  amazed,  the  monk  could  not  hesitate 
about  answering  such  an  appeal.  Obedient  to  a 
gesture  of  the  officer,  he  followed  him  from  the 
apartment,  and  continued  at  his  side  while  the  other 


THE   BRAVO.  223 

threaded  the  magnificent  rooms  and  descended  to 
his  gondola. 

"  You  must  be  much  honored  of  the  senate,  holy 
monk,"  observed  the  latter  while  they  proceeded, 
"  to  hold  so  near  a  trust  about  the  person  of  one  in 
whom  the  state  takes  so  great  an  interest?" 

"  I  feel  it  as  such,  my  son.  A  life  of  peace  and 
prayer  should  have  made  me  friends." 

"  Men  like  you,  father,  merit  the  esteem  they 
crave.  Are  you  long  of  Venice'?" 

"  Since  the  last  conclave.  I  came  into  the  re 
public  as  confessor  to  the  late  minister  from  Flor 
ence." 

"An  honorable  trust.  You  have  been  with  us 
then  long  enough  to  know  that  the  republic  never 
forgets  a  servitor,  nor  forgives  an  affront." 

"  'Tis  an  ancient  state,  and  one  whose  influence 
still  reaches  far  and  near." 

"  Have  a  care  of  the  step.  These  marbles  are 
treacherous  to  an  uncertain  foot." 

"  Mine  is  too  practised  in  the  descent  to  be  un~ 
steady.  I  hope  I  do  not  now  descend  these  stairs 
for  the  last  time?" 

The  minister  of  the  council  affected  not  to  under 
stand  the  question,  but  he  answered  as  if  replying 
only  to  the  previous  observation. 

"  'T  is  truly  a  venerable  state,"  he  said,  "  but  a  little 
tottering  with  its  years.  All  who  love  liberty, 
father,  must  mourn  to  see  so  glorious  a  sway  on  the 
decline.  Sic  transit  gloria  mundi!  You  bare-footed 
Carmelites  do  well  to  mortify  the  flesh  in  youth,  by 
which  you  escape  the  pains  of  a  decreasing  power. 
One  like  you  can  have  few  wrongs  of  his  younger 
days  to  repair?" 

"  We  are  none  of  us  without  sin,"  returned  the 
monk,  crossing  himself.  "  He  who  would  flatter  his 
goul  with  being  perfect  lays  the  additional  weight 
of  vanity  on  his  life." 


224  THE  BRAVO. 

"Men  of  my  occupation,  holy  Carmelite,  have 
few  opportunities  of  looking  into  themselves,  and  I 
bless  the  hour  that  hath  brought  me  into  company 
so  godly.  My  gondola  waits — will  you  enter?" 

The  monk  regarded  his  companion  in  distrust, 
but  knowing  the  uselessness  of  resistance,  he  mur 
mured  a  short  prayer  and  complied.  A  strong 
dash  of  the  oars  announced  their  departure  from 
the  steps  of  the  palace. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

O  pescator !  dell'  onda, 

Fi  da  lin ; 
O  pescator  !  dell'  onda, 

Fi  da  lin : 
Vien  pescar  in  qua, 
Colla  bella  tua  barca, 
Colla  bella  se  ne  va, 
Fi  da  lin,  liu,  la — 

Venetian  Boat  Song. 

THE  moon  was  at  the  height.  Its  rays  fell  in  a 
flood  on  the  swelling  domes  and  massive  roofs  of 
Venice,  while  the  margin  of  the  town  was  brilliant 
ly  defined  by  the  glittering  bay.  The"  natural  and 
gorgeous  setting  was  more  than  worthy  of  that  pic 
ture  of  human  magnificence ;  for  at  that  moment, 
rich  as  was  the  queen  of  the  Adriatic  in  her  works 
of  art,  the  grandeur  of  her  public  monuments,  the 
number  and  splendor  of  her  palaces,  and  most  else 
that  the  ingenuity  and  ambition  of  man  could  at 
tempt,  she  was  but  secondary  in  the  glories  of  the 
hour. 

Above  was  the  firmament,  gemmed  with  worlds, 
and  sublime  in  immensity.  Beneath  lay  the  broad 
expanse  of  the  Adriatic,  endless  to  the  eye,  tranquil 


THE  BRAVO.  225 

as  the  vault  it  reflected,  and  luminous  with  its  bor 
rowed  ligjit.  Here  and  there  a  low  island,  reclaim 
ed  from  the  sea  by  the  patient  toil  of  a  thousand 
years,  dotted  the  Lagunes,  burthened  with  the  group 
of  some  conventual  dwellings,  or  .picturesque  with 
the  modest  roofs  of  a  hamlet  of  the  fishermen. 
Neither  oar,  nor  song,  nor  laugh,  nor  flap  of  sail, 
nor  jest  of  mariner,  disturbed  the  stillness.  All  in 
the  near  view  was  clothed  in  midnight  loveliness, 
arid  all  in  the  distance  bespoke  the  solemnity  of  na 
ture  at  peace.  The  city  and  the  Lagunes,  the  gulf 
and  the  dreamy  Alps,  the  interminable  plain  of  Lom- 
bardy,  and  the  blue  void  of  heaven,  lay  alike,  in  a 
common  and  grand  repose. 

There  suddenly  appeared  a  gondola.  It  issued 
from  among  the  watery  channels  of  the  town,  and 
glided  upon  the  vast  bosom  of  the  bay,  noiseless  as 
the  fancied  progress  of  a  spirit.  A  practised  and 
nervous  arm  guided  its  movement,  which  was  un 
ceasing  and  rapid.  So  swift  indeed  was  the  passage 
of  the  boat,  as  to  denote  pressing  haste  on  the  part 
of  the  solitary  individual  it  contained.  It  held  the 
direction  of  the  Adriatic,  steering  between  one  of 
the  more  southern  outlets  of  the  bay  and  the  well- 
known  island  of  St.  Giorgio.  For  half  an  hour  the 
exertions  of  the  gondolier  were  unrelaxed,  though 
his  eye  was  often  cast  behind  him,  as  if  he  distrust 
ed  pursuit ;  and  as  often  did  he  gaze  ahead,  betray 
ing  an  anxious  desire  to  reach  some  object  that  was 
yet  invisible.  When  a  wide  reach  of  water  lay  be 
tween  him  and  the  town,  however,  he  permitted  his 
oar  to  rest,  and  he  lent  all  his  faculties  to  a  keen  and 
anxious  search. 

A  small  dark  spot  was  discovered  on  the  water 
still  nearer  to  the  sea.  The  oar  of  the  gondolier 
dashed  the  element  behind  him,  and  his  boat  again 
glided  away,  so  far  altering  its  course  as  to  show 
that  all  indecision  was  now  ended.  The  darker  spot. 


226  THE   BRAVO. 

was  shortly  beheld  quivering  in  the  rays  of  the  moon, 
and  it  soon  assumed  the  form  and  dimensions  of  a 
boat  at  anchor.  Again  the  gondolier  ceased  his  ef 
forts,  and  he  leaned  forward,  gazing  intently  at  this 
undefined  object,  as  if  he  would  aid  his  powers  of 
sight  by  the  sympathy  of  his  other  faculties.  Just 
then  the  notes  of  music  came  softly  across  the  La- 
guncs.  The  voice  was  feeble  even  to  trembling,  but 
it  had  the  sweetness  of  tone  and  the  accuracy  of 
execution  which  belong  so  peculiarly  to  Venice.  It 
was  the  solitary  man,  in  the  distant  boat,  indulging 
in  the  song  of  a  fisherman.  The  strains  were  sweet, 
and  the  intonations  plaintive  to  melancholy.  The 
air  was  common  to  all  who  plied  the  oar  in  the  ca 
nals,  and  familiar  to  the  ear  of  the  listener.  He 
waited  until  the  close  of  a  verse  had  died  away,  and 
then  he  answered  with  a  strain  of  his  own.  The 
alternate  parts  were  thus  maintained  until  the  music 
ceased,  by  the  two  singing  a  final  verse  in  chorus. 

When  the  song  was  ended,  the  oar  of  the  gondo 
lier  stirred  the  water  again,  and  he  was  quickly  by 
the  other's  side. 

"  Thou  art  busy  with  thy  hook  betimes,  Antonio," 
said  he  who  had  just  arrived,  as  he  stepped  into  the 
boat  of  the  old  fisherman  already  so  well  known  to 
the  reader.  "  There  are  men,  that  an  interview  with 
the  Council  of  Three,  would  have  sent  to  their 
prayers  and  a  sleepless  bed." 

"  There  is  not  a  chapel  in  Venice,  Jacopo,  in 
which  a  sinner  may  so  well  lay  bare  his  soul  as  in 
this.  I  have  been  here  on  the  empty  Lagunes,  alone 
with  God,  having  the  gates  of  Paradise  open  before 
my  eyes." 

"  One  like  thee  hath  no  need  of  images  to  quicken 
his  devotion." 

"  I  see  the  image  of  my  Savior,  Jacopo,  in  those 
bright  stars,  that  moon,  the  blue  heavens,  the  misty 
bank  of  mountain,  the  waters  on  which  we  float,  ay, 


THE   BRAVO.  227 

even  in  my  own  sinking  form:  as  in  all  which  has 
come  from  his  wisdom  and  power.  I  have  prayed 
much  since  the  moon  has  risen." 

"  And  is  habit  so  strong  in  thee,  that  thou  thinkest 
of  God  and  thy  sins,  while  thou  anglest?" 

"  The  poor  must  toil  and  the  sinful  must  pray. 
My  thoughts  have  dwelt  so  much  of  late  on  the  boy, 
that  I  have  forgotten  to  provide  myself  with  food. 
If  I  fish  later  or  earlier  than  common,  'tis  because  a 
man  cannot  live  on  grief." 

"  I  have  bethought  me  of  thy  situation,  honest 
Antonio ;  here  is  that  which  will  support  life  and 
raise  thy  courage.  See,"  added  the  Bravo,  stretch 
ing  forth  an  arm  into  his  own  gondola,  from  which 
he  drew  a  basket,  "  here  is  bread  from  Dalrnatia, 
wine  of  Lower  Italy,  and  figs  from  the  Levant — eat, 
then,  and  be  of  cheer." 

The  fisherman  threw  a  wistful  glance  at  the 
viands,  for  hunger  was  making  powerful  appeals  to 
the  weakness  of  nature,  but  his  hand  did  not  relin 
quish  its  hold  of  the  line,  with  which  he  still  con 
tinued  to  angle. 

"  And  these  are  thy  gifts,  Jacopo  ?"  he  asked  in  a 
voice  that,  spite  of  his  resignation,  betrayed  the 
longings  of  appetite. 

"  Antonio,  they  are  the  offerings  of  one  who  re 
spects  thy  courage  and  honors  thy  nature." 

"  Bought  with  his  earnings?" 

"  Can  it  be  otherwise  ? — I  am  no  beggar,  for  the 
love  of  the  saints,  and  few  in  Venice  give  unasked. 
Eat  then,  without  fear;  seldom  wilt  thou  be  more 
welcome." 

"  Take  them  away,  Jacopo,  if  thou  lovest  me.  Do 
not  tempt  me  beyond  what  I  can  bear." 

"How!  art  thou  commanded  to  a  penance  ?" 
hastily  exclaimed  the  other. 

"  Not  so — not  so.  It  is  long  since  I  have  found 
leisure  or  heart  for  the  confessional." 


228  TIIE    BRAVO. 

"  Then  why  refuse  the  gift  of  a  friend  1  Remem 
ber  thy  years  and  necessities." 

"  I  cannot  feed  on  the  price  of  blood  !" 

The  hand  of  the  Bravo  was  withdrawn,  as  if  repel 
led  by  an  electric  touch.  The  action  caused  the 
rays  of  the  moon  to  fail  athwart  his  kindling  eye, 
and  firm  as  Antonio  was  in  honesty  and  principle, 
he  felt  the  blood  creep  to  his  heart,  as  he  encounter 
ed  the  fierce  and  sudden  glance  of  h^  companion, 
A  long  pause  succeeded,  during  which  the  fisher 
man  diligently  plied  his  line,  though  utterly  regard 
less  of  the  object  for  which  it  had  been  cast. 

"  I  have  said  it,  Jacopo,"  he  added,  at  length, 
"  and  tongue  of  mine  shall  not  belie  the  thought  of 
my  heart.  Take  away  thy  food  then,  and  forget  all 
that  is  past;  for  what  I  have  said  hath  not  been 
said  in  scorn,  but  out  of  regard  to  my  own  soul. 
Thou  knowest  how  I  have  sorrowed  for  the  boy, 
but  next  to  his  loss  I  could  mourn  over  thee — ay, 
more  bitterly  than  over  any  other  of  the  fallen !" 

The  hard  breathing  of  the  Bravo  was  audible,  but 
still  he  spoke  not. 

"  Jacopo,"  continued  the  anxious  fisherman,  "  do 
not  mistake  me.  The  pity  of  the  suffering  and  poor 
is  not  like  the  scorn  of  the  rich  and  worldly.  If  I 
touch  a  sore,  I  do  not  bruise  it  with  my  heel.  Thy 
present  pain  is  better  than  the  greatest  of  all  thy 
former  joys." 

"  Enough,  old  man,"  said  the  other  in  a  smother 
ed  voice  ;  "  thy  words  are  forgotten.  Eat  without 
fear,  for  the  ottering  is  bought  with  earnings  as  pure 
as  the  gleanings  of  a  mendicant  friar." 

"  I  will  trust  to  the  kindness  of  St.  Anthony  and 
the  fortune  of  my  hook ;"  simply  returned  Antonio. 
**  'Tis  common  for  us  of  the  Lagunes  to  go  to  a  sup- 
perless  bed  :  take  away  the  basket,  good  Jacopo, 
and  let  us  speak  of  other  things." 

The  Bravo  ceased  to  press  his  food  upon  the  fish- 


THE   BRAVO.  229 

erman.  Laying  aside  his  basket,  he  sate  brooding 
over  what  had  occurred. 

"  Hast  thou  come  thus  far  for  naught  else,  good 
Jacopo  ?"  demanded  the  old  man,  willing  to  weaken 
the  shock  of  his  refusal. 

The  question  appeared  to  restore  Jacopo  to  a  re 
collection  of  his  errand.  He  stood  erect,  and  look- 
'ed  about  him,  for  more  than  a  minute,  with  a  keen 
eye  and  an  entire  intentness  of  purpose.  The  look 
in  the  direction  of  the  city  was  longer  and  more 
earnest  than  those  thrown  toward  the  sea  and  the 
main,  nor  was  it  withdrawn,  until  an  involuntary 
start  betrayed  equally  surprise  and  alarm. 

"  Is  there  not  a  boat,  here,  in  a  line  with  the 
tower  of  the  campanile?'1  he  asked  quickly,  point 
ing  towards  the  city. 

"  It  so  seems.  It  is  early  for  my  comrades  to  be 
abroad,  but  the  draughts  have  not  been  heavy  of 
late,  and  the  revelry  of  yesterday  drew  many  of  our 
people  from  their  toil.  The  patricians  must  eat,  and 
the  poor  must  labor,  or  both  would  die." 

The  Bravo  slowly  seated  himself,  and  he  looked 
with  concern  into  the  countenance  of  his  companion. 

"  Art  thou  long  here,  Antonio  ? " 

"  But  an  hour.  When  they  turned  us  away  from 
the  palace,  thou  knowest  that  I  told  thee  of  my  ne 
cessities.  There  is  not,  in  common,  a  more  certain 
spot  on  the  Lagunes  than  this,  and  yet  have  I  long 
played  the  line  in  vain.  The  trial  of  hunger  is  hard, 
but,  like  all  other  trials,  it  must  be  borne.  I  have 
prayed  to  my  patron  thrice,  and  sooner  or  later  he 
will  listen  to  my  wants.  Thou  art  used  to  the  man 
ners  of  these  masked  nobles,  Jacopo ;  dost  thou 
think  them  likely  to  hearken  to  reason?  I  hope  I 
did  the  cause  no  wrong  for  want  of  breeding,  but  I 
spoke  them  fair  and  plainly,  as  fathers  and  men  with 
hearts." 

"  As  senators  they  have  none.     Thou  little  under- 

VOL.  I.  U 


230  THE  BRAVO. 

standest,  Antonio,  the  distinctions  of  these  patricians. 
In  the  gaiety  of  their  palaces,  and  among  the  com 
panions  of  their  pleasures,  none  will  speak  you  fairer 
of  humanity  and  justice — ay — even  of  God!  but 
when  met  to  discuss  what  they  call  the  interests  of 
St.  Mark,  there  is  not  a-  rock  on  the  coldest  peak  of 
yonder  Alp,  with  less  humanity,  or  a  wolf  among 
their  valleys  more  heartless  ! " 

"  Thy  words  are  strong,  Jacopo — I  would  not  do 
injustice  even  to  those  who  have  done  me  this  wrong. 
The  senators  are  men,  and  God  has  given  all  feel 
ings  and  nature  alike." 

"  The  gift  is  then  abused.  Thou  hast  felt  the 
want  of  thy  daily  assistant,  fisherman,  and  thou  hast 
sorrowed  for  thy  child  ;  for  thee  it  is  easy  to  enter 
into  another's  griefs ;  but  the  senators  know  nothing 
of  suffering.  Their  children  are  not  dragged  to  the 
galleys,  their  hopes  are  never  destroyed  by  laws 
coming  from  hard  task-masters,  nor  are  their  tears 
shed  for  sons  ruined  by  being  made  companions  of 
the  dregs  of  the  republic.  They  will  talk  of  public 
virtue*  and  services  to  the  state,  but  in  their  own 
cases  they  mean  the  virtue  of  renown,  and  services 
that  bring  with  them  honors  and  rewards.  The 
wants  of  the  state  is  their  conscience,  though  they 
take  heed  those  wants  shall  do  themselves  no  harm." 

k*  Jacopo,  Providence  itself  hath  made  a  difference 
in  men.  One  is  large,  another  small;  one  weak, 
another  strong  ;  one  wise,  another  foolish.  At  what 
Providence  hath  done,  we  should  not  murmur  ?" 

"  Providence  did  not  make  the  senate  ;  't  is  an  in 
vention  of  man.  Mark  me,  Antonio,  thy  language 
hath  given  offence,  and  thou  art  not  safe  in  Venice. 
They  will  pardon  all  but  complaints  against  their 
justice.  That  is  too  true  to  be  forgiven." 

"  Can  they  wish  to  harm  one  who  seeks  his  own 
ehild?" 

**  If  thou  wert  great  and  respected,  they  would 


THE   BRAVO.  231 

undermine  thy  fortune  and  character,  ere  thou 
should'st  put  their  system  in  danger — as  thou  art 
weak  and  poor,  they  will  do  thee  some  direct  in 
jury,  unless  thou  art  moderate.  Before  all,  I  warn 
thee  that  their  system  must  stand  !" 

"Will  God  suffer  this?" 

"  We  may  not  enter  into  his  secrets ;"  returned  the 
Bravo,  devoutly  crossing  himself.  "  Did  his  reign 
end  with  this  world,  there  might  be  injustice  in  suf 
fering  the  wicked  to  triumph,  but,  as  it  is,  we 

Yon  boat  approaches  fast !  I  little  like  its  air  and 
movements.'" 

"  They  are  not  fishermen,  truly,  for  there  are  many 
oars  and  a  canopy!" 

"  It  is  a  gondola  of  the  state  !"  exclaimed  Jacopo, 
rising  and  stepping  into  his  own  boat,  which  he  cast 
loose  from  that  of  his  companion,  when  he  stood  in 
evident  doubt  as  to  his  future  proceedings.  "  Anto 
nio,  we  should  do  well  to  row  away.'5 

"  Thy  fears  are  natural,"  said  the  unmoved  fish 
erman,  "  and  'tis  a  thousand  pities  that  there  is 
cause  for  them.  There  is  yet  time  for  one  skilful 
as  thou  to  outstrip  the  fleetest  gondola  on  the  ca 
nals." 

"  Quick,  lift  thy  anchor,  old  man,  and  depart, — 
my  eye  is  sure.  I  know  the  boat." 

"  Poor  Jacopo !  what  a  curse  is  a  tender  con 
science  !  Thou  hast  been  kind  to  me  in  my  need, 
and  if  prayers,  from  a  sincere  heart,  can  do  thee 
service,  thou  shalt  not  wrant  them." 

"Antonio!"  cried  the  other,  causing  his  boat  to 
whirl  away,  and  then  pausing  an  instant  like  a  man 
undecided — "  I  can  stay  no  longer — trust  them  not — 
they  are  false  as  fiends — there  is  no  time  to  lose — 
I  must  away." 

The  fisherman  murmured  an  ejaculation  of  pity, 
as  he  waved  a  hand,  in  adieu ! 

"  Holy  St.  Anthony,  watch  over  my  own  child, 


232  THE    BRAVO. 

lest  he  corne  to  some  such  miserable  life!"  he  add 
ed,  in  an  audible  prayer — "  There  hath  been  good 
seed  cast  on  a  rock,  in  that  youth,  for  a  warmer  or 
kinder  heart  is  not  in  man.  That  one  like  Jacopo 
should  live  by  striking  the  assassin's  blow !" 

The  near  approach  of  the  strange  gondola,  now 
attracted  the  whole  attention  of  the  old  man.  It 
came  swiftly  towards  him,  impelled  by  six  strong 
oars,  and  his  eye  turned  feverishly  in  the  direction 
of  the  fugitive.  Jacopo,  with  a  readiness  that  ne 
cessity  and  long  practice  rendered  nearly  instinct 
ive,  had  taken  a  direction  whic*h  blended  his  wake 
in  a  line  with  one  of  those  bright  streaks  that  the 
moon  drew  on  the  water,  and  which,  by  dazzling 
the  eye,  effectually  concealed  the  objects  within  its 
width.  When  the  fisherman  saw  that  the  Bravo  had 
disappeared,  he  smiled  and  seemed  at  ease. 

"  Ay,  let  them  come  here,"  he  said ;  "  it  will  give 
Jacopo  more  time.  I  doubt  not  the  poor  fellow  hath 
struck  a  blow,  since  quitting  the  palace,  that  the  coun 
cil  will  not  forgive !  The  sight  of  gold  hath  been 
too  strong,  and  he  hath  offended  those  who  have 
so  long  borne  with  him.  God  forgive  me,  that  I 
have  had  communion  with  such  a  man !  but  when 
the  heart  is  heavy,  the  pity  of  even  a  dog  will 
warm  our  feelings.  Few  care  for  me,  now,  or  the 
friendship  of  such  as  he  could  never  have  been  wel 
come." 

Antonio  ceased,  for  the  gondola  of  the  state 
came  with  a  rushing  noise  to  the  side  of  his  own 
boat,  where  it  was  suddenly  stopped  by  a  back 
ward  sweep  of  the  oars.  The  water  was  still  in 
ebullition,  when  a  form  passing  into  the  gondola  of 
the  fisherman,  the  larger  boat  shot  away  again,  to 
the  distance  of  a  few  hundred  feet,  and  remained  at 
rest. 

Antonio  witnessed  this  movement  in  silent  curios 
ity  ;  but  when  he  saw  the  gondoliers  of  t.ie  state 


THE  BRAVO.  233 

lying  on  their  oars,  he  glanced  his  eye  again  fur 
tively  in  the  direction  of  Jacopo,  saw  that  all  was 
safe,  and  faced  his  companion  with  confidence. 
The  brightness  of  the  moon  enabled  him  to  distin 
guish  the  dress  and  aspect  of  a  bare-footed  Carme 
lite.  The  latter  seemed  more  confounded  than  his 
companion,  by  the  rapidity  of  the  movement,  and 
the  novelty  of  his  situation.  Notwithstanding  his 
confusion,  however,  an  evident  look  of  wonder 
crossed  his  mortified  features  when  he  first  beheld 
the  humble  condition,  the  thin  and  whitened  locks, 
and  the  general  air  and  bearing  of  the  old  man  with 
whom  he  now  found  himself. 

"  Who  art  thou?"  escaped  him,  in  the  impulse  of 
surprise. 

"  Antonio  of  the  Lagunes !  A  fisherman  that 
owes  much  to  St.  Anthony,  for  favors  little  de 
served." 

"  And  why  hath  one  like  thee  fallen  beneath  the 
senate's  displeasure ! " 

"  I  am  honest  and  ready  to  do  justice  to  others. 
If  that  offend  the  great,  they  are  men  more  to  be 
pitied  than  envied." 

"  The  convicted  are  always  more  disposed  to  be 
lieve  themselves  unfortunate  than  guilty.  The  error 
is  fatal,  and  it  should  be  eradicated  from  the  mind, 
lest  it  lead  to  death." 

"  Go  tell  this  to  the  patricians.  They  have  need 
of  plain  counsel,  and  a  warning  from  the  church." 

"  My  son,  there  is  pride  and  anger,  and  a  per 
verse  heart  in  thy  replies.  The  sins  of  the  sena 
tors — and  as  they  are  men,  they  are  not  without  spot 
— can  in  no  manner  whiten  thine  own.  Though 
an  unjust  sentence  should  condemn  one  to  punish 
ment,  it  leaves  the  offences  against  God  in  their  na 
tive  deformity.  Men  may  pity  him  who  hath  wrong 
fully  undergone  the  anger  of  the  world,  but  the 
church  will  only  pronounce  pardon  on  him  who  con- 
U2 


234  THE    BRAVO. 

fesseth  his  errors,  with  a  sincere  admission  of  their 
magnitude." 

"  Have  you  come,  father,  to  shrive  a  penitent  ? " 

"  Such  is  my  errand.  I  lament  the  occasion,  and 
if  what  I  fear  be  true,  still  more  must  I  regret  that 
one  so  aged  should  have  brought  his  devoted  head 
beneath  the  arm  of  justice."  N^V 

Antonio  smiled,  and  again  he  bent  his  eyes  alon 
that  dazzling  streak  of  light,  which  had  swallowed 
up  the  gondola  and  the  person  of  the  Bravo. 

"  Father,"  he  said,  when  a  long  and  earnest  look 
was  ended,  "  there  can  be  little  harm  in  speaking 
truth  to  one  of  thy  holy  office.  They  have  told  thee 
there  was  a  criminal  here  in  the  Lagunes,  who  hath 
provoked  the  anger  of  St.  Mark?" 

"  Thou  art  right." 

"  It  is  not  easy  to  know  when  St.  Mark  is  pleased, 
or  when  he  is  not,"  continued  Antonio,  plying  his 
line  with  indifference,  "  for  the  very  man  he  now 
seeks  has  he  long  tolerated ;  ay,  even  in  presence 
of  the  doge.  The  senate  hath  its  reasons  which  lie 
beyond  the  reach  of  the  ignorant,  but  it  would  have 
been  better  for  the  soul  of  the  poor  youth,  and 
more  seemly  for  the  republic,  had  it  turned  a  dis 
couraging  countenance  on  his  deeds  from  the  first." 

"  Thou  speakest  of  another ! — thou  art  not  then 
the  criminal  they  seek?" 

"  I  am  a  sinner,  like  all  born  of  woman,  reverend 
Carmelite,  but  my  hand  hath  never  held  any  other 
weapon  than  the  good  sword  with  which  I  struck 
the  infidel.  There  was  one  lately  here,  that  I  grieve 
to  add,  cannot  say  this !" 

"And  he  is  gone?" 

"  Father,  you  have  your  eyes,  and  you  can  an 
swer  that  question  for  yourself.  He  is  gone  ;  though 
he  is  not  far ;  still  is  he  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
swiftest  gondola  in  Venice,  praised  be  St.  Mark!" 

The  Carmelite  bowed  his  head,  where  he  was 


THE  BRAVO.  235 

seated,  and  his  lips  moved,  either  in  prayer  or 
in  thanksgiving. 

"  Are  you  sorry,  monk,  that  a  sinner  has  es 
caped]" 

"  Son,  I  rejoice  that  this  bitter  office  hath  passed 
from  me,  while  I  mourn  that  there  should  be  a  spirit 
so  depraved  as  to  require  it.  Let  us  summon  the 
servants  of  the  republic,  and  inform  them  that  their 
errand  is  useless." 

"  Be  not  of  haste,  good  father.  The  night  is 
gentle,  and  these  hirelings  sleep  on  their  oars,  like 
gulls  in  the  Lagunes.  The  youth  will  have  more 
time  for  repentance,  should  he  be  undisturbed." 

The  Carmelite,  who  had  arisen,  instantly  reseated 
himself,  like  one  actuated  by  a  strong  impulse. 

"  I  thought  he  had  already  been  far  beyond  pur- 
guit,"  he  muttered,  unconsciously  apologizing  for 
his  apparent  haste. 

"  He  is  over  bold,  and  I  fear  he  will  row  back  to 
the  canals,  in  which  case  you  might  meet  nearer  to 
the  city — or,  there  may  be  more  gondolas  of  the 
state  out — in  short,  father,  thou  wilt  be  more  certain 
to  escape  hearing  the  confession  of  a  Bravo,  by 
listening  to  that  of  a  fisherman,  who  has  long  want 
ed  an  occasion  to  acknowledge  his  sins." 

Men  who  ardently  wish  the  same  result,  require 
few  words  to  understand  each  other.  The  Carme 
lite  took,  intuitively,  the  meaning  of  his  companion, 
and  throwing  back  his  cowl,  a  movement  that  ex 
posed  the  countenance  of  Father  Anselmo,  he  pre*- 
pared  to  listen  to  the  confession  of  the  old  man. 

"  Thou  art  a  Christian,  and  one  of  thy  years  hath 
not  to  learn  the  state  of  mind  that  becometh  a  peni 
tent  ;"  said  the  monk,  when  each  was  ready. 

"  I  am  a  sinner,  father ;  give  me  counsel  and  ab 
solution,  that  I  may  have  hope." 

"Thy  will  be  done — thy  prayer's  heard — ap 
proach  and  kneel." 


236  THE  BRAVO. 

Antonio,  who  had  fastened  his  line  to  his  seat, 
and  disposed  of  his  net  with  habitual  care,  now 
crossed  himself  devoutly,  and  took  his  station  before 
the  Carmelite.  His  acknowledgments  of  error  then 
began.  Much  mental  misery  clothed  the  language 
and  ideas  of  the  fisherman  with  a  dignity  that  his 
auditor  had  not  been  accustomed  to  find  in  men  of 
his  class.  A  spirit  so  long  chastened  by  suffering 
had  become  elevated  and  noble.  He  related  his 
hopes  for  the  boy,  the  manner  in  which  they  had 
been  blasted  by  the  unjust  and  selfish  policy  of  the 
state,  of  his  different  efforts  to  procure  the  release 
of  his  grandson,  and  his  bold  expedients  at  the  re 
gatta,  and  the  fancied  nuptials  with  the  Adriatic. 
When  he  had  thus  prepared  the  Carmelite  to  under 
stand  the  origin  of  his  sinful  passions,  which  it  was 
now  his  duty  to  expose,  he  spoke  of  those  passions 
themselves,  and  of  their  influence  on  a  mind  that 
was  ordinarily  at  peace  with  maitkind.  The  tale 
was  told  simply  and  without  reserve,  but  in  a  man 
ner  to  inspire  respect,  and  to  awaken  powerful  sym 
pathy  in  him  who  heard  it. 

"  And  these  feelings  ttwu  didst  indulge  against  the 
honored  and  powerful  of  Venice ! "  demanded  the 
monk,  affecting  a  severity  he  could  not  feel. 

"  Before  my  God  do  I  confess  the  sin !  In  bitter 
ness  of  heart  I  cursed  them ;  for  to  me  they  seemed 
men  without  feeling  for  the  poor,  and  heartless  as 
the  marbles  of  their  own  palaces." 

"  Thou  knowest  that  to  be  forgiven,  thou  must 
forgive.  Dost  thou,  at  peace  with  all  of  earth,  for 
get  this  wrong,  and  canst  thou  in  charity  with  thy 
fellows,  pray  to  Him  who  died  for  the  race,  in  be 
half  of  those  who  have  injured  thee  ?" 

Antonio  bowed  his  head  on  his  naked  breast,  and 
he  seemed  to  commune  with  his  soul. 

"  Father,"  he  said,  in  a  rebuked  tone,  "  I  hope  I 
do." 


THE  BRAVO.  23? 

"Thou  must  not  trifle  with  tin  self  to  thine  own 
perdition.  There  is  an  eye  in  yon  vault  above  us 
which  pervades  space,  and  which  looks  into  the  in 
most  secrets  of  the  heart.  Canst  thou  pardon  the 
error  of  the  patricians,  in  a  contrite  spirit  for  tliino 
own  sins?" 

"  Holy  Maria,  pray  for  them,  as  I  now  ask  mercy 
in  their  behalf! — Father,  they  are  forgiven."_ 

"  Amen !" 

The  Carmelite  arose  and  stood  over  the  kneeling 
Antonio,  with  the  whole  of  his  benevolent  counte 
nance  illuminated  by  the  moon.  Stretching  his  arms 
towards  the  stars,  he  pronounced  the  absolution,  in 
a  voice  that  was  touched  with  pious  fervor.  The 
upward  expectant  eye,  with  the  withered  linea 
ments  of  the  fisherman,  and  the  holy  calm  of  the 
monk,  formed  a  picture  of  resignation  and  hope,  that 
angels  would  have  loved  to  witness. 

"  Amen  !  amen  !"  exclaimed  Antonio,  as  he  arose, 
crossing  himself;  "  St.  Anthony  and  the  Virgin  aid 
me  to  keep  these  resolutions  !" 

"  I  will  not  forget  thee,  my  son,  in  the  offices  of 
holy  church.  Receive  my  benediction,  that  I  may 
depart." 

Antonio  again  bowed  his  knee,  while  the  Carmel 
ite  firmly  pronounced  the  words  of  peace.  When 
this  last  office  was  performed,  and  a  decent  interval 
of  mutual  but  silent  prayer  had  passed,  a  signal  was 
given  to  summon  the  gondola  of  the  state.  It  came 
rowing  down  with  great  force,  and  was  instantly 
at  their  side.  Two  men  passed  into  the  boat  of  An 
tonio,  and  with  officious  zeal  assisted  the  monk  to 
resume  his  place  in  that  of  the  republic. 

"Is  the  penitent  shrived?"  half  whispered  one, 
seemingly  the  superior  of  the  two. 

"  Here  is  an  error.  He  thou  seekst  has  escaped. 
This  aged  man  is  a  fisherman  named  Antonio,  and 
one  who  cannot  have  gravely  offended  St.  Mark. 


238  THE    BRAVO. 

The  Bravo  hath  passed  toward  the  island  of  San 
Giorgio,  and  must  be  sought  elsewhere." 

The  officer  released  the  person  of  the  monk,  who 
passed  quickly  beneath  the  canopy,  and  he  turned  to 
ca:;t  a  hasty  glance  at  the  features  of  the  fisherman. 
The  rubbing  of  a  rope  was  audible,  and  the  anchor 
of  Antonio  was  lifted  by  a  sudden  jerk.  A  heavy 
plashing  of  the  water  followed,  and  the  two  boats 
shot  away  together,  obedient  to  a  violent  effort  of 
the  crew.  The  gondola  of  the  state  exhibited  its 
usual  number  of  gondoliers  bending  to  their  toil, 
with  its  dark  and  hearse-like  canopy,  but  that  of 
the  fisherman  was  empty ! 

The  sweep  of  the  oars  and  the  plunge  of  the  body 
of  Antonio  had  been  blended  in  a  common  wash  of 
the  surge.  When  the  fisherman  came  to  the  sur 
face,  after  his  fall,  he  was  alone  in  the  centre  of  the 
vast  but  tranquil  sheet  of  water.  There  might  have 
been  a  glimmering  of  hope,  as  he  arose  from  the 
darkness  of  the  sea  to  the  bright  beauty  of  that 
moon-lit  night.  But  the  sleeping  domes  were  too 
far  for  human  strength,  and  the  gondolas  were 
sweeping  madly  towards  the  town.  He  turned,  and 
swimming  feebly,  for  hunger  and  previous  exertion 
had  undermined  his  strength,  he  bent  his  eye  on  the 
dark  spot,  which  he  had  constantly  recognized  as 
the  boat  of  the  Bravo. 

Jacopo  had  not  ceased  to  watch  the  interview, 
with  the  utmost  intentness  of  his  faculties.  Favored 
by  position,  he  could  see  without  being^  distinctly 
visible.  He  saw  the  Carmelite  pronouncing  the  ab 
solution,  and  he  witnessed  the  approach  of  the  larger 
boat.  He  heard  a  plunge  heavier  than  that  of  fall 
ing  oars,  and  he  saw  the  gondola  of  Antonio  towing 
away  empty.  The  crew  of  the  republic  had  scarce 
ly  swept  the  Lagunes  with  their  oar-blades,  before 
his  own  stirred  the  water. 


THE  BRAVO.  239 

"  Jacopo ! — Jacopo  ! "  came  fearfully  and  faintly 
to  his  ears. 

The  A^oice  was  known  and  the  occasion  thorough 
ly  understood.  The  cry  of  distress  was  succeeded 
by  the  rush  of  the  water,  as  it  piled  before  the  beak 
of  the  Bravo's  gondola.  The  sound  of  the  parted 
element  was  like  the  sighing  of  a  breeze.  Ripples 
and  bubbles  were  left  behind,  as  the  driven  scud 
floats  past  the  stars,  and  all  those  muscles  which 
had  once  before  that  day  been  so  finely  developed 
in  the  race  of  the  gondoliers,  were  now  expanded, 
seemingly  in  twofold  volumes.  Energy  and  skill 
were  in  every  stroke,  and  the  dark  spot  came  down 
the  streak  of  light,  like  the  swallow  touching  the 
water  with  its  wing. 

"  Hither,  Jacopo — thou  steerest  wide  ! " 

The  beak  of  the  gondola  turned,  and  the  glaring 
eye  of  the  Bravo  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  fisherman's 
head. 

"  Quickly,  good  Jacopo, — I  fail!" 

The  murmuring  of  the  water  again  drowned  the 
siifled  words.  The  efforts  of  the  oar  were  frenzied, 
and  at  each  stroke  the  light  gondola  appeared  to 
rise  from  its  element. 

"  Jacopo — hither — dear  Jacopo  !" 

"  The  mother  of  God  aid  thee,  fisherman  ! — I 
eome." 

"  Jacopo — the  boy ! — the  boy ! " 

The  water  gurgled ;  an  arm  was  visible  in  the 
air,  and  it  disappeared.  The  gondola  drove  upon 
the  spot  where  the  limb  had  just  been  visible,  and  a 
backward  stroke,  that  caused  the  ashen  blade  to 
bead  like  a  reed,  laid  the  trembling  boat  motionless. 
The  furious  action  threw  tire  Lagune  into  ebullition, 
but,  when  the  foam  subsidJi,  it  lay  calm  as  the  blue 
and  peaceful  vault  it  reflected. 

**  Antonio ! " — burst  from  the  lips  of  the  Bravo. 

A  frightful  silence  succeeded  the  call.  There  wa* 


240  THE  BRAVO. 

neither  answer  nor  human  form.  Jacopo  compress 
ed  the  handle  of  his  oar  with  fingers  of  iron,  and 
his  own  breathing  caused  him  to  start.  On  every 
side  he  bent  a  frenzied  eye,  and  on  every  side  he 
beheld  the  profound  repose  of  that  treacherous  ele 
ment  which  is  so  terrible  in  its  wrath.  Like  the 
human  heart,  it  seemed  to  sympathize  with  the  tran 
quil  beauty  of  the  midnight  view;  but,  like  the 
human  heart,  it  kept  its  own  fearful  secrets. 


END  OF  VOL  1. 


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1      

1 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKEl 
FORM  NO.  DD6,  60m,  1  /83          BERKELEY,  CA  94720 


